For some time now, Europe has been increasingly turning to nuclear energy as a pillar of energy security and decarbonization. Lithuania is also taking concrete steps in this direction. The government of this Baltic state has established a working group to explore the potential reintroduction of nuclear energy into the national energy mix – with a particular focus on small modular reactors (SMRs), which are increasingly seen worldwide as a technology of the future.
In the past century, Lithuania operated two large Soviet-designed RBMK reactors, the same type used in Chernobyl. At the time, the plant supplied around 70 percent of the country’s electricity. However, as part of the conditions for joining the European Union, Lithuania was required to shut down both reactors, as this type was considered a safety risk under Western standards. The first reactor was shut down in 2004, and the second followed in 2009.
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The newly formed working group will include experts from the decommissioning process of the former plant, as well as international partners, with the goal of preparing a detailed analysis and strategic plan. According to World Nuclear News, a final decision on the construction of SMRs could be made by 2028, with the first reactor becoming operational by 2038.
In addition to France, which has had a well-established and robust nuclear sector for decades, more and more European countries are announcing new projects in this field. Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary, and the Netherlands are planning to build new reactors to address growing electricity demand and the need for decarbonization. SMRs have become particularly attractive to smaller countries, as they allow for gradual development, require lower initial investment, and are easier to integrate into existing energy infrastructure. At a time when the European continent faces a domestic energy production deficit and mounting energy security challenges, nuclear power is regaining strategic importance.
