Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) touted as solution to Puerto Rico’s power problems

"Puerto Rico has some of the most expensive electricity prices of any U.S. state, at 19.91 cents/KWh compared to the national average of 12.9 cents/KWh. It is that, as much as reliability, that is driving residents, who are some of the poorest in the Unites States, to seek alternatives.

While solar power, in particular, is being sold to the populace as a way to cut bills in an environmentally friendly manner, the NAP team points out that not only can the island spend weeks under cloud cover, boosting the case for a baseload generator, but that solar can also be expensive when storage is factored in.

Having a strong and reliable baseload like advanced nuclear generation can help ease the energy costs, they say. 

'People are starting to like the idea that their bill would be half what they pay now … but the problem is the small print. You have to read and educate and understand how much it’s really going to cost and how efficient the equipment will be throughout the life cycle,' says Reyes.

'That is where advanced nuclear comes into play; to support renewables as a strong and reliable baseload for the long-term stable operation of the grid.'

Both the general population and the politicians are coming around to the idea of bringing nuclear into the mix.

In a NAP survey of over 3,000 residents of a mix of ages and educational backgrounds, 94% were interested in continuing to explore the option of nuclear energy for the island."