Azerbaijan interested in construction of small modular reactor

Azerbaijan has expressed interest in the construction of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), Nijat Aliyev, head of the State Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Activity Regulation, said during a panel discussion at COP29 in Baku.

Report quotes him as saying the use of nuclear energy for electricity production is a clean and reliable source that helps reduce greenhouse emissions and plays an important role in addressing climate change.

"The operation of such reactors will contribute to reducing carbon emissions to zero and significantly mitigating climate change impacts," he said.

The agency head noted that the construction and operation of SMRs require careful planning, including considerations of location, timing, finances, human resources, waste disposal, as well as the adoption of appropriate legislative and regulatory acts.

"As a regulatory body, we recognize all the responsibility this entails, and express our intention to cooperate with relevant national agencies and the IAEA in all regulatory phases in the future," he stated.