Shifting Focus from Large Nuclear Plants to SMRs
Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction (DHIC) is gearing up to strengthen its small modular reactor (SMR) business capabilities as its large nuclear plant business has no more new project when it ships a steam generator for Shin-Kori Unit 6.
DHIC was originally scheduled to ship the steam generator for Shin-Kori Unit 6 in the third quarter of 2021, but the shipment schedule was adjusted to the fourth quarter.
The company plans to shift its business focus from large nuclear plant projects to SMRs, which are being developed by major countries, including Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, and China.
DHIC signed a design service contract with U.S. X-Energy, which is developing a high-temperature gas SMR, last month. The company is conducting research on manufacturing methods, prototypes, manufacturing, and design optimization for the main part for X-Energy’s SMR.
Earlier in July, DHIC decided to invest an additional US$60 million in NuScale Power, an American private company that designs and markets small modular reactors. DHIC already invested US$44 million in NuScale Power along with other Korean investors in 2019. DHIC will supply SMR equipment and materials worth trillions of won to NuScale Power. In addition, it is expanding cooperation with the U.S. company into the fields of hydrogen and fresh water production using SMRs.