en.Wedoany.com Reported - Holtec International and the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB) signed a development agreement today during the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NEISA), aimed at advancing the deployment of Holtec's Small Modular Reactor (SMR-300) in Rwanda. Officials from the United States and Rwanda also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on civil nuclear energy cooperation. Senior government officials from both countries attended the signing ceremony, including Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation Renee Sandman and Rwanda's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Usta Kaitesi.
Under the agreement, Holtec and the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board will collaborate to deploy SMR-300 units in Rwanda, with a potential total installed capacity of up to approximately 5 gigawatts, supporting Rwanda's strategy to deploy reliable, zero-carbon baseload power. Rafael Marin, Director of Holtec Europe, stated that Holtec is honored to help Rwanda smoothly transition into the nuclear power era and assist it in becoming a pioneer in SMR deployment in Africa.
U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg said the United States congratulates both parties on signing this joint development agreement, which paves the way for advancing safe, reliable, and stable nuclear energy development in Rwanda, and looks forward to cooperating with Rwanda and Holtec to jointly advance this transformative SMR project.
Dr. Richard M. Springman, President of Holtec International, stated that the company's integrated delivery model, covering SMR-300 reactor technology, EPC turnkey contracting, spent fuel management, operational support, and decommissioning, is crucial for accelerating Rwanda's comprehensive commercial nuclear energy program.
The SMR-300 is an "unattended" reactor based on proven pressurized water reactor technology, featuring a gravity-driven fail-safe system that allows for nearly autonomous operation requiring minimal operator expertise. The reactor has a small footprint with high power density, capable of generating over 600 megawatts of electricity on just 38 acres, and utilizes flexible cooling methods. The project will build upon Holtec's first deployment at the Palisades Nuclear Plant in Covert, Michigan, which is poised to become one of the first operational small modular reactors in the United States.
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