(Front row, from left) Jungwook Kim, Vice President of Samsung C&T; Rafal Kasprow, CEO of SGE; Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova; and Yasuhiro Takeuchi, Vice President of Hitachi (Provided by Samsung C&T)
The Engineering and Construction Group of Samsung C&T has forged a strategic alliance with leading global energy firms, positioning itself at the forefront of the European small modular reactor (SMR) market.
A memorandum of understanding was executed between Samsung C&T, GE Vernova, Hitachi, and Synthos Green Energy (SGE) during the Atlantic Council Nuclear Energy Policy Summit in New York on September 22.
This pivotal agreement intends to expedite the commercialization of the BWRX-300 SMR by leveraging the collective strengths of each entity in nuclear technology, global EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) expertise, and local market development initiatives.
Within this consortium, GVH—a collaborative venture between GE Vernova and Hitachi—will spearhead the design and technological provision for the BWRX-300, a compact 300MW-class reactor.
Hitachi contributes its advanced nuclear technology and established supply chain logistics in Japan, while Samsung C&T injects its comprehensive EPC capabilities acquired from extensive energy infrastructure project implementation.
Local business development across Europe will be championed by SGE, which has already secured operational rights in nations including Poland.
The BWRX-300 model exemplifies efficiency, achieved through the simplification and standardization of designs rooted in existing boiling water reactor technology.
The inaugural unit is presently under construction in Canada, and with its demonstrable technological strengths, it has gained a competitive edge in the European market—an area characterized by the significant need for robust power supply solutions.
Key operational hubs for this venture include Poland and the United Kingdom. SGE has attained a decision-in-principle for 26 units of the BWRX-300 in Poland and is actively engaged in developing three sites to house the initial 14 units.
In the UK, efforts are underway to promote a fleet initiative encompassing 14 units with a collective output of 4.2GW, currently progressing through the detailed review stage mandated by the state nuclear regulatory authority.
The partners anticipate that this collaboration will act as a catalyst for bolstering Europe’s energy security and enhancing industrial competitiveness.
Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova, underscored the necessity of robust cooperation and consistent execution to facilitate the large-scale deployment of nuclear facilities, while Yasuhiro Takeuchi, Vice President of Hitachi, highlighted the imperative of accelerating deployment in Europe through the integration of specialized expertise.
Jungwook Kim, Head of the Overseas Business Division at Samsung C&T, pointed to recent successes in Studsvik, Sweden, asserting that the company is poised to embark on a transformative journey within the European SMR domain, in conjunction with GE Vernova, Hitachi, and SGE.
Source link: Businesskorea.co.kr.
