Seoul: The state-run Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) has announced plans to collaborate with U.S. companies on the development of next-generation small modular reactors (SMRs) and the construction of a cutting-edge energy and artificial intelligence campus in Texas.
According to Yonhap News Agency, KHNP and Doosan Enerbility Co. have signed a quadrilateral memorandum of understanding (MOU) with American cloud solutions provider Amazon Web Services (AWS) and nuclear energy firm X-energy. This partnership aims to jointly develop SMRs to be used in data centers across the United States.
The agreement was formalized during a business roundtable that followed South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's summit with U.S. President Donald Trump. Notable business leaders from both countries were present, including Samsung Electronics Co. Chairman Lee Jae-yong, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and Carlyle Group co-founder David Rubenstein.
Under the terms of the MOU, the Korean companies will engage in the entire lifecycle of the SMR development project led by AWS. The initiative aims to commercialize a next-generation SMR model named Xe-100 and plans to construct over 60 reactors by 2039, supplying more than 5 gigawatts (GW) of electricity in the U.S., as reported by KHNP.
KHNP CEO Whang Joo-ho emphasized the growing competition in SMR development due to increasing global demand for the technology to combat climate change and enhance energy security. He noted that the collaboration with the U.S. would not only aid AWS in achieving its clean energy goals but also bolster KHNP's position in the global SMR market.
Additionally, KHNP has entered into a trilateral MOU with U.S. energy firm Fermi America and Korean construction firm Samsung C and T Corp. to collaborate on building the world's largest advanced energy and AI campus in Texas. Fermi America plans to create an energy campus capable of generating 11 GW of electricity, incorporating nuclear power units, SMRs, as well as gas and solar power facilities.
Furthermore, KHNP signed another MOU with nuclear fuel supplier Centrus for joint investment in constructing a uranium enrichment facility in the U.S. and for expanding purchases of enriched uranium from the American firm.
These MOUs are part of 11 initial agreements between Korean and U.S. companies made during the business roundtable, encompassing cooperation in sectors such as shipbuilding, nuclear energy, aviation, liquefied natural gas, and critical minerals.