US to Build Small Nuclear Reactors in Hungary

The United States has reached an agreement with Hungary to design and potentially construct up to 10 small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), in a deal valued at about $20 billion, according to a White House statement.

Under the bilateral civil nuclear energy agreement, the US will support front-end engineering and design (FEED) studies to facilitate the deployment of American SMR technology in Hungary. The initiative is expected to pave the way for Hungary to purchase and build multiple small-scale nuclear reactors as part of its long-term energy strategy.

The project reflects growing US involvement in advanced nuclear energy development in Europe, as SMRs are seen as a flexible and cost-efficient solution for reliable, low-carbon power generation.

The announcement comes as Hungary continues construction on the Paks II nuclear power plant, a major project developed with Russian participation and considered the largest nuclear investment in the European Union.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has emphasized the country’s goal of achieving full energy independence, with nuclear power playing a central role in reducing reliance on external energy sources.

The agreement underscores deepening US-Hungary cooperation in the energy sector, while highlighting the strategic importance of nuclear technology in Europe’s evolving energy landscape.