EPRI has secured a grant by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation to support the Foundational Infrastructure for the Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) Program.
FIRST program is a multi-agency U.S. government initiative to provide capacity building support to partner countries exploring the potential for small modular reactors (SMRs) and other advanced nuclear reactor technologies.
The program not only helps countries meet their clean energy requirements constant with the highest nuclear security, safety, and nonproliferation standards but also supports countries to safely and responsibly build a small modular reactor or other advanced reactor program.
EPRI will support FIRST's Project Phoenix program in Ukraine, which involves conducting an assessment for the conversion of the country's existing coal plants to nuclear power generation with SMR technology. The transitioning will help Ukraine reduce carbon emissions, utilize current energy infrastructure, and provide opportunities for retaining and retraining the existing workforce.
EPRI's support includes: evaluating coal sites for redevelopment; mapping suitable SMR technologies to specific sites; assessing site equipment and infrastructure health for reuse; assessing legacy environmental issues; and developing guidance for workforce transition and community engagement. The analysis is expected to be completed by the end of 2025 and will be conducted in collaboration with energy stakeholders across Ukraine.
