Requirements for deploying SMRs in developing countries: The Korean experience

Interest in deploying SMRs is growing in developing countries as they are more suitable for meeting the needs of relatively smaller distribution systems as well as being easier to finance and having a lower capital cost. Many developing countries are thus in an early stage of preparing for the introduction of SMRs. This paper describes the requirements for deploying SMRs in developing countries by dividing the requirements into four (4) categories, i.e. National Nuclear Energy Policy, Economics and Financing, Infrastructure, and Technology. As a specific example of the planning and implementation of nuclear power projects in a developing country, the Korean experience in nuclear power programs is described with respect to requirements for deploying nuclear power reactors. In addition, the top-level requirements imposed on SMART (System-integrated Modular Advanced ReacTor), an integral PWR with the rated thermal power of 330 MW, are discussed. (author)