Gorbačevski discusses prospects for small modular reactors in Lithuania with US representatives
Deputy Minister of Energy Gabriel Gorbačevski met with Mike Goff, a representative of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy
During the 70th Regular Session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference held in Vienna from 14 to 18 September, Vice-Minister of Energy Gabriel Gorbačevski met with representatives of the US Department of Energy and American companies developing small modular reactors (SMRs). The meetings focused primarily on further Lithuanian-US cooperation in the field of nuclear energy and potential models for implementing SMR projects in Lithuania.
The vice-minister met with Dr Michael Goff, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the United States Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy, as well as representatives of NuScale, X-energy, TerraPower and Holtec.
‘The energy dialogue between Lithuania and the United States is currently very intense, and both countries are striving to continue strengthening their strategic partnership in the areas of energy security and clean energy. Lithuania places great value on its practical cooperation with the United States Department of Energy and American companies in the nuclear energy sector. We are now looking to move towards more detailed discussions with technology developers that would allow us to better assess potential models for cooperation and the implementation of SMR projects in Lithuania,’ says Vice-Minister Gorbačevski.
During meetings with American SMR technology developers, the parties discussed what information Lithuania would need for further assessments. The aim is to conduct a more thorough assessment of potential SMR project implementation models, financing options, licencing processes, implementation timelines, and potential risk-sharing arrangements.
The information provided by technology developers, along with other ongoing assessments, will be used to prepare the rationale for a decision on the possible development of small modular reactors in Lithuania. A political decision on this issue is expected to be made by the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania in the first half of 2028. If the decision is positive, the SMR project would proceed to the next stage of development. Preliminary estimates indicate that the first small modular reactor in Lithuania could enter commercial operation around 2038.
Lithuanian-US cooperation in the field of nuclear energy is being developed under an intergovernmental agreement between Lithuania and the United States.
Last updated: 23-09-2026
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