Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power announced on the 26th that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for collaboration on small modular reactor (SMR) projects in the U.S. with Amazon, U.S. next-generation SMR development company X-energy, and equipment supply partner Doosan Enerbility.

The corporations signed a business agreement on the 25th (local time) at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C., agreeing to cooperate on power supply projects for data centers and industrial use in the U.S., led by Amazon, based on the next-generation SMR 'Xe-100' developed by X-energy.

On the 25th (local time), Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power signs a business agreement to collaborate with Amazon, X-energy, and Doosan Enerbility on the U.S. SMR project in Washington, D.C. (From left) Minister Kim Jeong-kwan of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Chairman Park Ji-won of Doosan Enerbility, President Hwang Joo-ho of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, CEO J. Clay Sell of X-energy, Energy Policy Manager Ray Fakhoury of Amazon, and Secretary Howard Lutnick of the U.S. Department of Commerce. /Courtesy of KHNP

Through this agreement, Amazon intends to adopt custom SMRs to achieve its clean energy goals and ensure a stable power supply. To this end, KHNP and X-energy plan to cooperate. KHNP and X-energy will participate throughout the entire cycle of the SMR project, including design, construction, financing, operation (O&M), supply chain assessment, and business development.

X-energy is pursuing the commercialization of Xe-100 with support from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and has applied for a construction permit from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to build a power plant at the Dow Chemical site in Texas. Amazon aims to supply over 5 gigawatts (GW) of power through the construction of more than 60 Xe-100 units by 2039 as part of its strategic agreement with X-energy.

KHNP noted, "Based on our accumulated capabilities in reactor design, construction, and operation, we plan to accelerate the expansion of the global SMR business through our partnership with Amazon, X-energy, and Doosan Enerbility," and added, "Through this, we aim to generate specific results in response to the demand for data centers and industrial power in the U.S. and to solidify our market position early in the local market."

KHNP President Hwang Joo-ho said, "As the number of countries worldwide hoping to adopt SMRs for climate crisis response and energy security increases, competition for SMR development is also intensifying," and added, "Through this cooperation with the U.S., we will support Amazon's vision for clean energy while strengthening our capabilities to lead the global SMR market."

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