Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has reached an agreement with Pebble Bed Modular Reactor Ltd (PBMR Pty) of the Republic of South Africa to study the area of collaboration in the development of the "Pebble Bed Modular Reactor" (PBMR). Based on the MOU, MHI will initially study the area for possible collaboration in the design of a 200 MWt (megawatts thermal) plant, which PBMR Pty is currently developing.

With the newly concluded MOU, PBMR development will now move forward toward commercialization of a small size reactor achieving both outstanding safety and economy.

According to the company’s press release, MHI will conduct part of the research & development activities for the 200 MWt plant design. In the future, further collaboration possibilities will be probed, including construction of the 200 MWt plant and exploring market potential for the PBMR.

---