The potential landscape for small modular reactors in Greece

Under Cabinet Act No. 28/2026, published in Government Gazette Issue A’ 136/8.9.2026, a Government Committee on Nuclear Energy has been established. Its mandate is to investigate, study, and assess all parameters associated with the potential inclusion of nuclear energy in the country’s long-term energy strategy.

The new Committee will assume the role of the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization (NEPIO), in accordance with the methodology of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Its primary responsibility will be to organize Phase 1, the so-called “Consideration Phase,” which will culminate in a Final Report to the Cabinet. At that stage, the fundamental question will be addressed: whether Greece should proceed with the establishment of a national nuclear energy programme.

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) on the Agenda

The key area of interest for the energy and real estate markets lies primarily in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The government has already indicated that the assessment will specifically examine the potential role of SMRs within the Greek energy system.

Unlike large conventional nuclear power plants, SMRs are designed to provide lower power output per unit, greater standardization, and modular construction. The IAEA notes that their smaller physical footprint may expand the number of potentially suitable sites, while they may also require less water and less extensive transmission infrastructure. At the same time, modular construction may reduce peak construction workforce requirements and shorten project implementation times.

The siting of a nuclear facility requires a far broader assessment. Under IAEA methodology, this includes the evaluation of geological, hydrogeological, seismological, and geotechnical conditions; flood risks and extreme weather events; land use; population distribution; available water resources; and environmental impacts.

How Much Land Does an SMR Require?

The land requirements depend on the specific technology, the number of modules, total generating capacity, cooling system, auxiliary facilities, security and physical protection requirements, separation distances from other land uses, and construction requirements.

Beyond the reactor’s physical footprint itself, provision must be made for auxiliary facilities and areas required temporarily during construction. The assessment must also take into account the characteristics and constraints of the wider surrounding area.

Consequently, any discussion at this stage of a specific number of hectares or acres required in Greece would be premature without first selecting a technology and conducting a site-specific assessment.

The Connection with Data Centers and Industry

The rapid expansion of data centers and other energy-intensive facilities is increasing the value of access to reliable and stable electricity supply.

In theory, SMRs could enable the development of smaller-scale generation facilities compared with traditional nuclear power plants and could potentially operate within smaller electricity systems with lower balancing and reserve requirements.

In the long term, this could also alter the criteria used to select locations for major energy-intensive projects, including data centers, industrial facilities, hydrogen production, and other installations requiring large quantities of reliable electricity.

From the Government Gazette to Site Selection: Still a Long Way to Go
Greece is effectively starting from the beginning. The country currently has no nuclear power plants for electricity generation. The GRR-1 research reactor at the National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos” remains under extended shutdown, while Greece does not currently have a final disposal facility for radioactive waste.

The next major discussion will therefore concern not only the technology itself, but also geography: where such a facility could potentially be located, how it could be connected to the electricity grid, which major electricity consumers could be located nearby, and what new investment ecosystems could develop around it.

Ultimately, if Greece proceeds beyond the exploratory phase, the implications could extend well beyond the energy sector. The emergence of nuclear generation—particularly through SMRs—could influence industrial location, data-center development, infrastructure investment, grid planning, and the long-term value of strategically located land.