Calogena

Calogena is a French company dedicated to developing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for district heating, with the primary goal of decarbonizing urban heating networks across Europe. The firm's core offering is the CAL-30, a 30 MWth light-water reactor designed for seamless integration into existing district heating infrastructure. This technology aims to provide a safe, stable, and low-carbon heat source capable of supplying approximately 20,000 households per module. Calogena emphasizes an intrinsically safe design, leveraging proven pool-type research reactor technology, and plans for rapid deployment of its solutions starting in 2030.

Operating as a subsidiary of the diversified industrial group Gorgé, Calogena benefits from its parent company's extensive expertise in high-tech industries and a long-standing involvement in the nuclear sector. The project has garnered significant support from the French government through the France 2030 program and is recognized as a flagship initiative by the European Commission's SMR Industrial Alliance. This strategic backing highlights the crucial role Calogena's technology is expected to play in achieving Europe's energy transition and decarbonization objectives.

Calogena was founded in 2021 by a team of highly experienced nuclear experts, including Alain Vallee, Jan Bartak, and Dominique Vignon. These founders bring extensive knowledge in nuclear design, operation, and business development, contributing to the company's rapid growth. The team, comprising around 40 engineers and specialists, is focused on finalizing the reactor design, navigating regulatory processes, and securing initial commercial successes in France and other European markets.

The company recently secured substantial funding, including approximately €100 million in March 2026, with €48 million from the French government and additional growth capital from investors such as Banque des Territoires and SNEF. This capital is earmarked to accelerate industrialization, complete reactor design work, and advance regulatory approvals to support the initial rollout of projects. Calogena is actively pursuing deployment opportunities, including feasibility studies for a pilot SMR at the CEA's Cadarache research center in France and engaging with Finnish energy operators for potential deployments in Finland.