Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Development In the Southern States - 2025

Nuclear Power Industry

Opdyke reported Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are nuclear energy reactors that have a smaller output and, by their nature, require less space to operate than a conventional reactor (in the South, there are currently 45 active nuclear reactors across 24 sites). An SMR is generally defined as having a power output of 300MW or less. The “modular” aspect of SMRs means that they can be assembled off-site (i.e. in a factory) and then transported to a final location for assembly.

Though the concept of an SMR is possible (as seen in nuclear naval technology), there are currently no operational commercial SMRs in the South or the rest of the world. However, numerous government and private efforts are being made around the world to design and build one that would be feasible for commercial use.

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For an update om SMR elsewhere in the U.S. and around the world, see (here).