Myanmar SMR Site Work Could Begin in 2027

Site work for a small modular reactor (SMR) project in Myanmar could begin in 2027. This development follows an intergovernmental agreement and the establishment of a comprehensive contractual framework for the project. The Director General of Rosatom, Alexei Likhachev, indicated that entering the site signifies the start of construction.

An intergovernmental agreement, signed in March 2025 during a state visit to Russia, outlined cooperation for a 110 MW project in Myanmar. This initial phase will feature two SMRs, with the possibility of expanding the capacity to 330 MW with additional units. The SMRs planned for the project are RITM-200N pressurized water reactors, each with a capacity of 55 MW. These reactors are adapted from the RITM-200 type, which is currently utilized in the nuclear icebreaker fleet.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin commented on the project's potential after discussions with Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing during an official visit to Russia. Mishustin expressed confidence that the project would significantly boost cooperation in related fields, including fundamental and applied scientific research, and would symbolize the friendship between Russia and Myanmar.

Russia is actively pursuing SMR technology, with a land-based SMR currently under construction and a sea-based unit already operational. The country views SMRs as having considerable export potential. Earlier this year, a ceremony marked the pouring of concrete for the first of two Russian SMR units in Uzbekistan, further demonstrating Russia's commitment to exporting this technology.

Xudabao simulator commissioned ahead of operator training

A full-scope simulator for the Xudabao nuclear power plant was formally commissioned this week. The facility will support training for the initial cohort of operators assigned to units 1 and 2 before those reactors begin commercial operation. Officials described the milestone as foundational to establishing qualified personnel and maintaining safety standards during the transition to active plant operation.

Project scope and reactor technology

Xudabao units 1 and 2 are each equipped with 1250 MWe CAP1000 reactors, a Chinese-designed pressurized water reactor based on Westinghouse technology. Construction licences for both units were issued in November 2023, with formal site work commencing that same month near Xingcheng City in Liaoning Province. The combined investment in the first two units exceeds CNY48 billion, equivalent to approximately USD6.6 billion.

The broader Xudabao project originally envisioned six reactors at the site. Units 3 and 4, supplied as Russian-designed VVER-1200 reactors, entered construction in 2021 and 2022 respectively, with commissioning targeted for 2027 and 2028. Two additional CAP1000 units remain in the proposal phase. When fully developed, the six-unit complex is projected to generate more than 7.6 GW of installed capacity and supply approximately 54 billion kilowatt-hours annually.

Ownership and contracting

Liaoning Nuclear Power Company Ltd holds operational responsibility for the Xudabao site. The company is structured with a 70 percent stake held by China National Nuclear Corporation, 20 percent by Datang International Power Generation Company, and 10 percent by State Development and Investment Corporation. China Nuclear Power Engineering Company Ltd, a subsidiary of China National Nuclear Corporation, serves as the general contractor for construction activities.

Ongoing simulator operation, maintenance, and optimization will be managed by CNNC Wuhan Nuclear Power Operation Technology Co, the subsidiary that developed the facility. The simulator is expected to support continuous training and qualification of operating personnel through the commissioning phase and into routine operations.

US Energy Sector Faces Significant Labor Shortage, Goldman Sachs Reports

The energy sector in the United States is confronting a significant labor shortage, according to a recent report from Goldman Sachs. The investment bank estimates that the US power and grid value chain will require approximately 500,000 additional workers by 2030 to meet growing demand. This demand is further exacerbated by the increasing need for power capacity to support AI infrastructure.

The sector currently faces a substantial skills gap, as many roles necessitate three to four years of specialized training. The energy apprenticeship pipeline saw only 45,000 entrants in 2024, which is considerably less than the 65,000 professionals needed annually to close the labor supply deficit. Goldman Sachs suggests that humanoid robots and autonomous equipment could serve as a potential solution to this workforce challenge, as the human workforce struggles to keep pace with industry requirements.