U.S. and Thailand Advance Concrete Partnership on Small Modular Reactors with 2037 Operational Target
The United States and Thailand are solidifying their partnership on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), moving from conceptual discussions to practical implementation. This collaboration involves U.S.-funded feasibility studies, the establishment of a new legal framework through a '123 Agreement,' and a joint effort to develop a skilled workforce and infrastructure. Thailand's draft Power Development Plan aims to have its first SMR operational by 2037, with a target of 9,000 megawatts of nuclear capacity by 2050. Experts have identified a 'human gap,' or a shortage of skilled personnel such as regulators and operators, as the primary challenge to achieving the 2037 goal, estimating a decade is needed for workforce development. Thailand is also participating in the U.S. State Department’s FIRST program, which provides advice on various aspects of SMR deployment, including financing, licensing, and technology selection.
