Leading nuclear European organizations unite to develop next-generation lead-cooled Small Modular Reactors
Ansaldo Nucleare, ENEA, RATEN, and SCK CEN establish the EU-SMR-LFR Consortium to design and commercialize Lead-Cooled IV Generation Small Modular Reactor
Luxemburg, 16 June 2025 – Four of Europe’s leading nuclear technology organizations – Ansaldo Nucleare, ENEA, RATEN, and SCK CEN – have signed today the creation of the EU-SMR-LFR Consortium, a newly established alliance which goal is to develop and commercialize a next-generation lead-cooled Small Modular Reactor (SMR).
The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the European Energy Council, in the presence of Belgian Minister of Energy Mathieu Bihet, Italian Minister of the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Italian Ambassador to Luxembourg H.E. Carmine Robustelli, Romanian Secretary of State at the Ministry of Energy Cristian Bușoi, and Romanian Ambassador to Luxembourg H.E. Alexandrina-Livia Rusu.
The signing of this agreement solidifies the collaboration among consortium members, transforming their ongoing partnership into a strengthened commitment to contribute to a more sustainable implementation of nuclear energy. It also reaffirms that the project remains on track to deliver its first demonstrator by 2035, marking a crucial step forward in the development and commercialization of a Lead-Cooled Generation IV Small Modular Reactor.
EU-SMR-LFR was already given a solid boost in 2024 as it was selected as one of the lead-cooled fast reactor proposals by the Governing Board of the European Industrial Alliance on Small Modular Reactors. This European recognition reinforces our belief in the lead-cooled fast reactor technology and emphasizes the strength of the EU-SMR-LFR Consortium.
By consolidating efforts under one coordinated structure, the EU-SMR-LFR Consortium strengthens industrial and technological expertise from Belgium, Italy and Romania to accelerate the deployment of advanced Generation IV nuclear technology and make it available for Europe. EU-SMR-LFR Consortium combines industrial knowhow with in-depth expertise in liquid metals, a major asset not only for the achievement of scientific breakthroughs but even more for the commercial application of the technology.
A step towards the future of nuclear energy
EU-SMR-LFR Consortium is committed to reinforcing Europe’s leadership in next-generation nuclear reactors, aligning with European Union energy transition policies and the need for reliable, low-carbon energy sources. The EU-SMR-LFR reactor will be designed to offer reliable, affordable and decarbonized energy, setting a new standard for small modular reactors.
Key features of EU-SMR-LFR will include:
- High power output and grid flexibility – with around 300MWe power, also suitable for industrial heat supply and hydrogen production.
- Modular design – enabling lower construction investments compared to previous generations, faster construction and flexible deployment.
- Optimized Fuel Management – the reactor will use MOX nuclear fuel, including recycled materials, reducing radioactive waste and enhancing sustainability.
Technology demonstrators and roadmap
To ensure technological and engineering maturity, the EU-SMR-LFR Consortium will leverage two key test facilities:
- Mol, Belgium – The LEANDREA technology demonstrator will focus on fuel and materials testing.
- Pitești, Romania – The already existent ALFRED project will be upgraded to serve as a stepping stone toward commercial deployment.
With global commercialization for EU-SMR-LFR targeted in 2039, the EU-SMR-LFR Consortium is adopting a stepwise approach to development, ensuring technical feasibility and economic viability at each stage.
