Preparations for construction of lead-cooled demonstration reactor LEANDREA take shape
Commissioned by the Belgian federal government, SCK CEN is working on an innovative lead-cooled demonstration reactor known as LEANDREA. LEANDREA is intended to demonstrate lead-cooled fast reactor technology and will also serve as an irradiation facility for materials and nuclear fuels for fast reactors. The facility will also be used for research into applications other than electricity generation.
SCK CEN plans to start construction in 2030. To realise this ambition, a robust industrial supply chain is essential, in addition to technological expertise. With that in mind, SCK CEN brought together more than 250 representatives from 175 companies at the Building Belgium’s First Lead-cooled Demonstration Reactor event. The goal? To involve potential suppliers at an early stage, get an idea of their expertise and capabilities, and lay the foundations for long-term partnerships in preparation for the further design and construction phase of LEANDREA.
The event marked the start of further engagement with industry, and interest in LEANDREA continues to grow. Nearly 100 participants have already registered to take part in the technical webinar on 24 November. During the webinar, we will take a closer look at the project and explore the technical aspects of LEANDREA in greater detail. Registration is still open.
Involving industry at an early stage
Belgium already has a strong nuclear knowledge base and industrial expertise that LEANDREA can build on. At the same time, building the reactor requires various specialist capabilities that must be seamlessly integrated at every stage of the project, from design and engineering through to construction and commissioning.
By involving industry at this early stage, SCK CEN aims to pool this expertise and make specific preparations for the future supply chain for LEANDREA. The event gave companies the chance to learn about the various phases of the project and the required competencies for each one. SCK CEN therefore identified the expertise, technologies and production capacities that need to be in place, as well as the areas where additional capabilities are needed. Potential partners therefore have plenty of time to prepare for a possible role in the realisation of LEANDREA.
Building more than one reactor
LEANDREA is not an isolated project. The reactor is part of the European EU-SMR-LFR programme, which aims to develop lead-cooled fast reactor technology step-by-step before ultimately commercialising it. LEANDREA in Mol (Belgium) is the first of two demonstration reactors. It will be followed by ALFRED in Pitesti (Romania). The know-how and experience gained in both projects should bring the technology ever closer to commercial application. This step-by-step approach should ultimately pave the way for the commercial roll-out of lead-cooled SMRs by 2039.
This long-term approach is also important for industry. The know-how, expertise and industrial capabilities that are currently being brought together and further developed for LEANDREA are not only crucial for building this reactor. They also help further develop the industrial base and supply chain for future projects in Belgium and Europe.
For businesses, taking part in LEANDREA therefore offers much broader prospects than this project alone. Now that Belgium has once again committed to nuclear energy, the experience gained through LEANDREA could serve as an important stepping stone to future opportunities in the Belgian nuclear sector and, by extension, the European market. At the same time, LEANDREA is part of a broader programme aimed at commercialising lead-cooled SMRs. This means that the know-how and experience gained are not only relevant for LEANDREA, but can also contribute to the further development, commercialisation and roll-out of this technology.
Why lead-cooled SMRs?
By cooling a reactor with lead, the neutrons do not lose any speed. That may sound technical, but the idea behind it is simple: we want to extract more energy from the same amount of raw material while producing less highly radioactive waste. This technology can therefore contribute to a reliable, low-carbon energy supply and strengthen energy security in Belgium and Europe.
