Nuclear, Ansaldo and Nuward sign new agreement for small reactors
A joint declaration of intent signed in Paris consolidating the path started in 2023
A new step forward for the creation of a mini nuclear modular reactor with technology that is also Italian. Ansaldo Energia, Ansaldo Nucleare and Nuward signed a joint declaration of intent today, during the World nuclear exhibition 2025, underway in Paris, that marks progress in the Nuward Small modular reactor (Smr) programme. The declaration, signed together with Arabelle Solutions, Framatome and Tractebel, consolidates the coordinated path to accelerate the plant's development and deployment plans. This signature follows the first collaboration agreement, signed in July 2023, between Ansaldo Energia, Ansaldo Nucleare, Edf and Nuward itself.
The latter is developing a new generation of small modular water-cooled reactors designed to provide reliable, flexible and cost-competitive decarbonised energy. The platform will offer both electricity and heat for various applications, including industrial use and district heating.
The agreement reinforces the collaboration between the partners, building on cooperation that has already begun and paving the way for the next phases of the programme. The Ansaldo group's objective, explains a note, 'is to contribute not only to the nuclear island (where fission takes place, ed), but also to the conventional island (the part that generates electricity in a manner similar to a conventional thermoelectric power plant, ed), exploiting its engineering and industrial capabilities to maximise value for customers'.
"The Nuward project," says Daniela Gentile, CEO of Ansaldo Nucleare, "will provide European citizens and industries with reliable, safe and competitive energy. The group intends to 'contribute to the development of this programme, leveraging its technological and production expertise, as well as the strength of the Italian industrial supply chain'.
Nuward Smr, adds Julien Garrel, Executive Chairman of the French company, 'represents much more than a technological innovation: it is the European answer to the growing global demand for reliable, flexible and low-carbon energy. Thanks to solid industrial collaborations with strategic partners, such as Ansaldo Energia and Nucleare, and recognition by the European Smr Alliance, Nuward Smr has established itself as a multi-energy platform, capable of supplying both electricity and heat, adapting to a wide range of applications in Europe and beyond.
