Naarea picks Jacobs for reactor development support

December 18, 2023, 7:21AMNuclear News

Naarea, a French start-up company that is developing a new nuclear power reactor, has brought on Dallas, Texas–based Jacobs to assist with nuclear safety as well as control, instrumentation, mechanical, and process engineering disciplines.

French initiative: Naarea, which stands for Nuclear Abundant Affordable Resourceful Energy for All, was one of the first companies to receive funding support from the France 2030 investment plan, a government initiative that aims to reinvigorate that country’s nuclear industry.

The company’s 40-MWe XAMR (Extra-small Advanced Modular Reactor) design draws on developments in three areas of nuclear technology—molten salt cooling systems, fast neutron fission to close the fuel cycle, and small modular reactor construction methods—to produce electricity and heat using spent nuclear fuel.

The company has noted that the XAMR will be on the market in 2030.

They said it: “Jacobs’s track record within the nuclear industry as well as its fast development in France will enable Naarea to collaborate with teams which are both highly experienced and agile,” said Jean-Luc Alexandre, Naarea founder and chief executive officer, on December 13. “This partnership is key for Naarea in order to accelerate the development of our XAMR.”

Jacobs vice president Dawn James added, “Under the three-year framework with Naarea, we will work together to progress our joint aim of delivering safe, clean and sustainable nuclear energy to promote energy security and build a more connected and sustainable world.”


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