March 31, 2023
Japan Atomic Energy Agency

Cooperation on Polish HTGR Research Reactor
- Further Research Cooperation Contract for Completion of Basic Design Signed -

The High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR), which is subject to international collaborative research relationship between Japan and Poland, has potential to provide new and advanced heat sources for the chemical and petrochemical industries and hydrogen production. Especially in Poland, HTGRs are expected as a heat source for the chemical and petrochemical industry as alternative to fossil fuel fired heat sources. Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) is cooperating in the basic design of the Polish HTGR research reactor based on the research and development (R&D) Cooperation Arrangement between JAEA and National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ) (signed in September 2019 and revised in November 2022). JAEA concluded the Research Collaboration Contract (Part 1) in November 2022, presented the fuel design and core design of the basic design to NCBJ, and completed the execution of the contract at the end of February 2023. Following this, the Research Collaboration Contract (Part 2) for the safety design of the main structures, systems and components, which is the last part of the basic design, was concluded as of March 29, 2023.

JAEA will continue to cooperate with NCBJ on the basic design of the HTGR research reactor to further upgrade and internationally standardize Japan's HTGR technology developed through the construction and operation of the High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR). JAEA, in cooperation with Poland, aims to enhance international competitiveness of Japanese HTGR technologies, which is attracting attention as a next generation nuclear reactor.