The NuScale type reactor passed the last test before the American regulator and will practically be the first small modular reactor in the world fully authorized, including from the point of view of operational safety, so Romania will have access to the newest technology, announced on Wednesday the Minister of Energy, Virgil Popescu.

“Today, good news came from across the ocean. The NuScale type reactor passed the last test before the American regulator and will practically be the first small modular reactor in the world fully authorized, including from the point of view of operational safety. Practically, Romania will have access to the newest technology, both from the point of view of the fact that it is small and modular and from the point of view of safety and security in operation,” said the minister.

Virgil Popescu also said that a financing decision from US EximBank will come this summer.

“In the USA we had discussions at a very high level with the president of EximBank. Following the discussions there, from the State Department, from the Department of Commerce, from the Department of Energy, it became very clear that we will have a financing decision this summer, until September 13, when the new financial year begins in the USA, and they want to resolve these issues by then,” the cited source added, according to Agerpres.

The Minister of Energy explained, in the context, that this is an important step to become energy independent.

According to the World Nuclear News portal, through design certification, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has established that a nuclear power plant design meets all safety requirements, regardless of whether there is a request to build or operate a power plant. Any subsequent request for the construction and operation of a plant using the respective design will no longer have to respond to the aspects already covered by the design certification, but only to the aspects related to the location and environmental aspects of the proposed plant.

“Confirmation of NuScale’s design and safety could not come at a more crucial time, when people around the world are struggling with the twin crises of volatile energy prices and climate change caused by extreme weather events. We are excited about the continued recognition of the safety of our technology and the potential offered by our carbon-free solution to meet the needs of the global community,” said NuScale CEO John Hopkins.