Published: 04.04.2022.

On 4 April 2022, the Minister of Economics Jānis Vitenbergs agreed on cooperation within the United States programme “Fonds Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology” (FIRST). FIRST is a capacity building programme established by the United States in order to strengthen strategic ties, support clean energy development and promote technical cooperation with partner countries, thus ensuring the safe and responsible use of nuclear energy infrastructure.

The share of renewable energy sources in Latvia’s energy balance is steadily increasing, and it is important to look at ways to ensure the stability of the system and base load to cover these volatile resources. We are grateful to the United States for their willingness to cooperate with Latvia and willingness to share their experience and good practice in the field of nuclear energy. Latvia is expecting invaluable cooperation with partners in the United States, which will promote our energy security,” the Latvian Minister of Economics Jānis Vitenbergs emphasised.

This project will be based on comprehensive competences of and exchange of knowledge among the government, industry, national laboratories and academia focused on issues such as labour development, involvement of stakeholders, development of regulations and presentation of advanced nuclear energy technologies, such as small modular reactors, to support the achievement of Latvia’s energy independence goals, as well as safety and climate protection priorities.

We are pleased to work with Latvia to find out jointly what role advanced nuclear technology can play in Latvia’s future structure of energy sources. The United States and Latvia are committed to energy security and the fight against climate change, and the FIRST Programme provides the basis for joint efforts by our countries to achieve these objectives,” Bonnie Denise Jenkins, Deputy State Secretary of the US State Department, emphasises.

Based on more than 60 years of experience of the United States in nuclear energy, FIRST partner countries are assisted in the development of nuclear energy programmes mainly aimed at supporting and achieving renewable energy targets in line with the highest international nuclear safety standards. As part of the “Leaders Summit on Climate” conference, the Biden Administration highlighted the FIRST Programme as one of the main efforts of the United States to promote innovation by developing renewable technologies and building an unprecedented level of global cooperation to overcome the climate crisis.

Joint Statement on New Clean Energy and Nuclear Security Collaboration between the United States and Latvia under the Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) Initiative