French advanced nuclear startup HEXANA has signed a memorandum of understanding with Dutch energy cooperative Atoomcoöperatie to explore the deployment of its Generation IV small modular reactor (SMR) platform in the Netherlands — a move that signals the country’s intent to integrate advanced nuclear into its industrial decarbonisation strategy.

(Image: Hexana)

A spin-off from France’s CEA (Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives), HEXANA focuses on sodium-cooled fast reactors equipped with high-temperature thermal storage. Its system combines two 400 MWₜ reactors with an integrated heat buffer, allowing flexible production of both electricity and industrial-grade heat above 500 °C. This hybrid “power-heat-storage” configuration positions HEXANA as one of the few SMR concepts capable of addressing both grid balancing and industrial decarbonisation needs simultaneously.

The Dutch partner, Atoomcoöperatie, describes itself as the world’s first citizen-driven nuclear cooperative. By engaging citizens and local industries as stakeholders, it aims to build public trust and align nuclear innovation with community-level energy transitions. Their partnership with HEXANA extends beyond technology—it also explores models of social participation, industrial integration, and localised energy governance.

The Netherlands has been cautiously re-embracing nuclear power as part of its broader climate and energy agenda. Alongside plans to extend the life of the Borssele plant, the government is assessing new reactor options that complement renewables rather than compete with them. For a country where industrial clusters depend heavily on high-temperature heat, HEXANA’s design offers a credible alternative to fossil-based boilers and gas-fired CHP units.

HEXANA CEO Sylvain Nizou has emphasised that Europe’s industrial base requires “proven and flexible nuclear technology” to meet net-zero goals. Sodium fast reactors, he argues, represent a mature and scalable pathway—offering high thermal efficiency, compact design, and the potential to stabilise power systems dominated by intermittent renewables.

The collaboration reflects a shift in how nuclear projects are conceived and financed in Europe. Instead of top-down, state-led initiatives, this model leverages public-private partnerships and regional energy cooperatives to accelerate deployment. For HEXANA, it marks both a market opportunity and a structural change in Europe’s nuclear landscape—from centralised gigawatt plants toward modular, localised, and multifunctional nuclear heat sources.

Should HEXANA’s technology achieve practical demonstration in the Netherlands, it could redefine how nuclear energy serves heavy industry — not merely as a power supplier but as the thermal backbone of low-carbon production zones. In an era where Europe’s industrial competitiveness increasingly hinges on clean and secure energy, such reactors may become vital instruments of strategic resilience.