Greece will need to at least triple its power production capacity – today at roughly 50 TWh – by 2050 and produce cheaper electricity, according to Purdue professor of nuclear engineering Lefteri Tsoukalas.

The noted professor stresses that the future use of nuclear reactors, possibly along the design of small modular ones (SMRs), is “imperative” for the east Mediterranean country. At the same time, he emphasized that before any consideration is given to the possibility of generating power from nuclear means, infrastructure, such as “smart grids”, and a massive investment in human resources is necessary.

Nuclear projects are akin to building dams, tunnels, bridges and offshore facilities, he emphasizes.

The native of Elis (Ilia) prefecture in southwest Greece also first touches on the ever-present theme of “green transition” that is now an almost ubiquitous topic in position statements by policy-makers and multinational company executives.

Asked about three, and only three things he would advise a Greek government to immediately commence, Dr. Tsoukalas ticked off the following: establish three nuclear engineering departments in the country’s polytechnics – as there are none now! – engage and invest in “tech diplomacy” and begin cataloguing companies and contractors in the country that can and could possibly provide materials and services in building and operating local nuclear infrastructure.