Hungary looks to Rolls-Royce to answer future energy needs

The Hungarian Foreign Ministry has expressed a strong interest in developing a collaborative relationship with Rolls-Royce to develop new nuclear power for the country’s future energy needs.

Hungary has a proud nuclear heritage, with four operating nuclear reactors, and has a long history of safe and secure nuclear operations.

Rolls-Royce offshoot, Rolls-Royce SMR (Small Modular Reactor) is in the process of developing ‘factory-built’ mini nuclear power stations.

Alastair Evans, director of corporate and government affairs at Rolls-Royce SMR, said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to meet with Deputy Minister Magyar to discuss our collaboration and how we can realise the enormous potential to deploy our SMR technology in Hungary.

“Hungary has strong ambitions to grow its nuclear industry and is keen to explore how Rolls-Royce SMR can play a part in providing clean, secure energy for generations to come.”

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Levente Magyar, said: “Hungary intends to rely on nuclear energy in the long term, since we are committed to decarbonisation and energy sovereignty that can be accomplished by using both nuclear and renewable energy.

“The agreement we signed today is a good opportunity to start the essential information exchange between the partners that can contribute to the development of the first SMR of Hungary.”

Rolls-Royce SMR is continuing to explore potential future opportunities for deployment while it focuses strongly on delivery in the UK, where it was recently named as the preferred bidder in the Great British Nuclear SMR competition to deliver the first three UK SMR units.

In the Czech Republic, it has been selected by European utility ČEZ to deliver up to 3GW of electricity; and in Sweden, it is one of the final two SMR providers in their nuclear technology selection process.

The Rolls-Royce SMR technology is progressing through the final stage of assessment by the UK nuclear industry’s independent regulators – further ahead than any other SMR technology.

Each factory-built nuclear power station will provide enough affordable, low-carbon electricity to power a million homes for more than 60 years.