A memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed by Rosatom’s subsidiary Rusatom Overseas and the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC). The parties agreed to carry out a joint feasibility study for the construction of a Russian-designed small modular reactor (SMR) in Jordan. “Russia and Jordan have long been working together in the nuclear field. This memorandum of understanding on small modular reactors will expand and enhance our cooperation. Rosatom is ready to share its SMR expertise with Jordan,” said Evgeny Pakermanov, President of Rusatom Overseas.

Dr. Khaled Toukan from JAEC said, “The SMR program is key to the national nuclear strategy. JAEC and RAOS have achieved many milestones in years of cooperation, and this memorandum will further contribute to the SMR program”.

Rosatom has extensive expertise in designing and constructing small modular reactors. In 2019, Russia will commission the world’s first floating nuclear power plant Akademik Lomonosov. It is the first movable low-power reactor in a series of similar plants. The project employs time-proven solutions that have been used in nuclear icebreakers for decades. The floating nuclear power plant (FNPP) is equipped with two KLT-40S reactors with a capacity of 35 MW each. The FNPP has been designed in full compliance with IAEA safety standards and is capable of withstanding extreme weather impacts, such as tsunami or other natural disasters.

Apart from floating nuclear plants, Rosatom is working on the development of stationary low-power reactors. In addition to having a modular design, these small-size reactors can be used for multiple purposes, such as water desalination and heating.

FOR REFERENCE 

The cooperation on nuclear technologies between Russia and Jordan started in 2011 when the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission tendered out the contract to build Jordan’s first high-power nuclear plant and invited Rosatom to take part in the bidding process. In late 2013, Jordan informed Russia that AtomStroyExport, which proposed to build two 1,000 MW reactors, was selected as a potential vendor. On 24 March 2015, the parties signed a framework agreement to construct and operate a nuclear power plant in Jordan. The project is currently in its pre-investment phase that will result in making a joint decision on the form of investments in the nuclear power plant.