Comparative Analysis of Regulatory Compliance and Legal Issues in Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Deployment

The deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) is a critical pathway toward achieving clean and reliable energy solutions globally. However, the pace and success of SMR deployment vary significantly across different countries, driven by a combination of regulatory, financial, and social factors. This study utilized the most similar systems design approach, comparing five countries with similar control variables while focusing on variations in regulatory and legal frameworks to assess their impact on SMR deployment. Using a combination of correlation analysis and partial least-squares regression (PLS-R), the authors analyzed the effects of independent variables: regulatory flexibility, licensing processing time, public engagement and consultation procedures, compliance costs, environmental impact assessment (EIA) regulations, government support, and liability and risk management regulations. The results show that government support, regulation flexibility, and liability management frameworks have the strongest positive correlation with SMR deployment. Conversely, EIA regulations and licensing processing time were identified as significant barriers, slowing the approval and development processes. Although public engagement showed a moderate negative effect in correlation analysis, the PLS-R analysis revealed a small positive influence, indicating its long-term benefits in enhancing public trust and reducing opposition. Further, the compliance costs were found to have minimal impact when considered alongside other factors.