Small modular reactor rhetoric hits a hurdle

        June 23, 2020 RenewEconomy | Global | nuclear: SMR

The small modular reactor (SMR) is being touted as a nuclear saviour: cheaper and safer. But costs may not be that cheap, in part because of the first-of-a-kind technology. The only operational SMR is Russia’s 70-MW floating plant at $740 million, quadruple estimates ($200/MWh). The high costs are staffing, fuel, barge resources, and coastal infrastructure.