Wishful thinking and real problems: Small modular reactors, planning constraints, and nuclear power in Jordan

Jordan plans to import two conventional gigawatt scale nuclear reactors from Russia that are expensive and too large for Jordan's current electricity grid. Jordan efforts to establish nuclear power might become easier in some ways if the country were to construct Small Modular Reactors, which might be better suited to Jordan's financial capabilities and its smaller electrical grid capacity. But, the SMR option raises new problems, including locating sites for multiple reactors, finding water to cool these reactors, and the higher cost of electricity generation. Jordan's decision has important implications for its energy planning as well as for the market for SMRs. •Jordan is planning to purchase two large reactors from Russia.•Large reactors would be inappropriate to Jordan's small electricity grid.•Small modular reactors would be more appropriate to Jordan's grid, but have problems.•The market for small modular reactors will be smaller than often projected.•Jordan should consider the financial impact of building a large nuclear reactor.