Hunatom Ltd. and Rolls-Royce SMR have signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the potential use of British small modular reactor (SMR) technology in Hungary.

Hungary is committed to the use of nuclear energy and diversification, and therefore continuously explores what additional nuclear investments – beyond the expansion of the Paks NPP – could be implemented with smaller-scale units. In this spirit, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed today by Gergely Jákli, Chairman of the Board of Hunatom Ltd., and Alan Woods, Strategy and Business Development Director of Rolls-Royce SMR.

SMR units can be constructed modularly, making them easier and faster to build compared to large-scale units. The British Rolls-Royce model is a pressurized water unit with a nominal electrical power of 470 MW, which, according to plans, will be capable of supplying electricity to one million homes for at least 60 years.

The preparation and licensing of a nuclear investment is a time-consuming process, which is why it is especially important to explore opportunities in a timely manner. A good example of this effort is the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding, which does not yet mean a binding commitment.

Just as the Paks II. project serves as a platform for East-West cooperation – with American and Western European countries participating in the project alongside the Russian Contractor – SMR developments also strengthen international technological and economic cooperation.

23 September 2025

Hunatom and Synthos Green Energy (SGE) have signed an agreement aimed at commencing the activities necessary for the deployment of the American small modular reactor technology in Hungary.

According to the statement made by Péter Szijjártó on 30 July 2025, technological, infrastructural, financial, and legal preparatory works required for the implementation of the American small modular reactor technology in Hungary have been started. The above statement was made by the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade upon signing the agreement by Hunatom Ltd., the Hungarian company involved in nuclear technology development and Synthos Green Energy, with the purpose to prepare the deployment of the American technology in Hungary.

According to the statement released by the National News Agency (MTI), Péter Szijjártó emphasized the importance of meeting the country’s energy demand through domestic capacities to the greatest extent possible and highlighted nuclear energy as the primary solution, noting that this sector is currently undergoing a significant technological revolution. He mentioned that alongside large-scale power plants, the development of small modular reactors started, as well.

The Minister underlined that for a country the size of Hungary, it is not realistic to consider the consecutive construction of multiple large-scale nuclear power plants; however, small modular reactors may offer a viable solution. These reactors are ideal for providing reliable, affordable and environmentally friendly energy to such industrial regions as those that have emerged in Hungary due to the construction of huge factories and implementation of large-scale investment projects.

Péter Szijjártó pointed out that the global leaders in terms of this still-developing technology are American companies, including GE Vernova, which already has a presence in Hungary, and the right to deploy this technology in Central Europe is held by the Polish company, Synthos Green Energy. He noted that a small nuclear power plant based on this American technology is already under construction in Canada, where the authorities have granted the implementation license. “This is a promising – and indeed an encouraging signal – for Hungary” he said.

“Today we have made the first step towards ensuring that in the future Hungary will be in capacity to use the most advanced small modular reactor technology when it comes to the security of its energy supply. Thus, upon signing this agreement, preparatory work commences in the legal, infrastructural, financial, and legislative areas," said Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Robert Palladino, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to Hungary, described the signing of this agreement as a significant milestone in the bilateral relations between Hungary and the United States. “This form of strategic cooperation that we are implementing in the region is a genuine partnership based on mutual respect,” Robert Palladino was quoted as saying by MTI.

The agreement was signed by SGE Chief Business Development Officer Robert Rudich, SGE CEO Rafał Kasprów, and Hunatom Ltd. Managing Director Róbert Griljov in presence of the Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, U.S. Chargé d'affaires Robert Palladino, founder and owner of SGE Michal Solowow and Polish Chargé d'affaires Jacek Śladewski.

Synthos news:
https://synthosgreenenergy.com/en/news/show/10,sge-and-hunatom-sign-loi-to-assess-the-deployment-of-smrs-in-hungary

Remred Space Technologies and Hunatom Ltd. signed a cooperation agreement focusing on energy and engineering innovation activities. This cooperation means a significant step forward in our mutual commitment to promote energy-related innovations.

As a company with a notable legacy in the field of space dosimetry, Remred Space Technologies has always been at the forefront of technological development. We are well aware of the fact that fostering of the developments is essential not only in terms of space exploration but also here on Earth. That is why we have joined efforts with Hunatom, with a primary focus on developing energy-related innovation activities. This partnership offers great opportunities for both companies to achieve lasting impact in the energy sector and beyond.

The NPHyCo project focuses on exploring the potential for developing facilities capable of producing large volumes of hydrogen with low - carbon emissions, in connection with nuclear power plants. At first, the project will assess the feasibility of hydrogen production near an existing nuclear power plant, as well as the added value of such a development. In addition, potential sites suitable for the performance of experimental projects will be examined.

The 12-member project consortium is led by Framatome GmbH, and includes internationally recognized stakeholders such as the Spanish Technatom S.A., Belgian Forum Atomique Européen, and German Forum Atomique Européen. In capacity of the WG leader, Hunatom Ltd. plays a key role in creating the concept of the research topic; furthermore, the company actively contributes to the preparation of economic calculation and elaboration of a prospective business plan.

Both the EU and Hungary aim to become climate-neutral by 2050.

István Lepsényi, President of the Hungarian Hydrogen Technology Association, signed a letter of intent on the development of hydrogen-based freight transport and related hydrogen refuelling infrastructure in Hungary, together with representatives of major stakeholders such as Waberer’s, Magyar Posta, MOL Trans, Alfred Schuon Ltd., Hunatom, Linde Gas Hungary Co. CLtd., Messer Hungarogas Ltd., MOL and HUMDA.

Both the EU and Hungary aim to become climate-neutral by 2050. To achieve this goal, greenhouse gas emissions in the transport and logistic sector must be reduced by 90 percent by 2050. 75 percent of the total carbon dioxide emissions in transport sector is produced by road transport, so it is obvious that important decarbonization developments need to be implemented in this area. Fuel cell electric heavy-duty vehicles (FCEV) powered by hydrogen seem to be a very promising zero-emission alternative, which – alongside the achievement of climate- and environment protection goals - can meet the technical requirements of the transportation sector, such as a long range, short charging time, and significant load bearing capacity.

Taking into consideration the complex and interdependent nature of the hydrogen-based mobility and associated refuelling infrastructure, the implementation, expansion, and efficient operation of this technology in Hungary can only be achieved if the stakeholders apply available process- and engineering solutions in a coordinated and collaborative manner.

The letter of intent is aimed at ensuring that the cooperation is implemented in a coordinated manner through the entire hydrogen value chain, so that investments can be carried out among the interested parties in hydrogen-powered freight transport. An essential element of this cooperation is to ensure that hydrogen refuelling stations will become available right there and right when the hydrogen-powered vehicles appear, and that the hydrogen supply across the value chain is secured by that time—preferably with green and carbon-free hydrogen.