Poland’s Synthos Green Energy (SGE) and Hungarian company Hunatom (part of the Paks II Group) have signed an agreement to cooperate on a project to build up to 10 GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GVH) BWRX-300 small modular reactors (SMRs) in Hungary. The letter of intent establishes a framework for joint activities related to project development, site selection, licensing and unit construction.
The 300 MWe BWRX-300, a 10th generation water-cooled, natural circulation SMR with passive safety systems that leverages the design and licensing basis of GVH’s 1,500 MWe ESBWR boiling water reactor and its experience with cross-border regulatory collaboration. Hungary joins the US, Canada, Estonia and Poland on the list of countries implementing BWRX-300 projects.
The ceremonial signing of the agreement took place in Budapest, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the presence of Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Péter Szijjártó. The agreement was signed by SGE CEO Rafał Kasprów, SGE Chief Business Development Officer Robert Rudich, and Hunatom Managing Director Róbert Griljov in presence of the Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, Polish Chargé d’affaires Jacek Śladewski, and US Chargé d’affaires Robert Palladino.
“We are dealing with a huge increase in demand for electricity, which can currently be met only by nuclear, no question. SMRs are the ideal solution for us.… Therefore, we have taken the first step to ensure that Hungary will be able to use the most modern small nuclear technology in the future when it comes to the security of its energy supply. The preparatory work will therefore begin today in both the legal, infrastructural, financial and legislative areas with the signing of this agreement.”
SGE owner Michał Sołowow noted: “I am here not only as an entrepreneur, but also as a Polish patriot. As a patriot, I know that our agreement is a step towards increasing the energy independence of the region, including Poland and Hungary. With GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300 technology, we can build a better world by providing clean green energy that will ensure the economic development of our countries.”
Under an agreement with GE Vernova, SGE serves as project developer for building BWRX-300 reactors in the region. The US Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) Programme co-funded a two-part licensing and regulatory study for SGE in Poland. Under the FIRST Programme, the US SMR Pan-European Regional Interest Nuclear Group (SPRING) project plans to facilitate deliveries of more BWRX-300s in the region.
According to Palladino, the agreement between SGE and Hunatom “will have a huge impact on the development of the energy independence of the entire region”. He added: “Under President Trump’s leadership, the US has made it a priority to unleash American nuclear innovation and deliver practical, results-driven solutions to our partners. That is exactly what this project represents. Through initiatives like the FIRST and SPRING programmes, and through Executive Order 14299, President Trump has made clear that American nuclear energy is a tool of national strength, of regional security, and of enduring prosperity.”
Hungary’s Paks NPP currently provides half of all generated and one third of consumed electricity in Hungary. The plant comprises four Soviet-supplied VVER-440 reactors, which started up between 1982 and 1987. They have been approved to operate for another 20 years. until at least 2052-2057. In addition, the Paks-II project was launched in 2014 by an inter-governmental agreement between Hungary and Russia for two VVER-1200 reactors (units 5&6) to be supplied by Rosatom. The contract was supported by a Russian state loan to finance the majority of the project.
