We will participate from the early stage of our clients' small modular reactor (SMR) development and become a business partner that delivers highly refined products. To use a semiconductor analogy, we will become the No. 1 foundry that turns clients' designs into products, like Taiwan's TSMC.
At the 2025 Gyeongnam SMR International Conference held at the Changwon Convention Center on the 28th, Kim Jong-u, senior vice president for SMR sales and business management at Doosan Enerbility, said this. In the first session on the outlook for K-SMR, Kim introduced Doosan Enerbility's strengths and business strategy.
It is estimated that about 100 SMRs are under development in countries around the world. Doosan Enerbility, which manufactures main equipment for large nuclear power plants such as reactors, steam generators, turbines, and generators, said it also has strengths in producing SMR modules.
Kim said, We saw SMR's potential early and moved in, so we have a competitive edge over other rivals. Based on the capabilities we have built up, we will move beyond being a simple manufacturer and become a business partner participating from the early development stage of SMRs.
Doosan Enerbility is currently developing the innovative i-SMR in Korea and working closely with overseas corporations including NuScale Power, X-energy, and TerraPower.
He noted that supply chains are crucial for stable product delivery. Kim said, Doosan Enerbility has about 800 domestic partners. Assuming we carry out one large nuclear plant project, about 400 partners take part, and roughly 60% are in South Gyeongsang Province. We will continue smooth cooperation to deliver better results.
Kim Han-gon, Director General of the i-SMR Technology Development Project Group, also took part in a lecture on the outlook for K-SMR. This is a national project led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Science and ICT to build a Korean-style SMR, with private corporations such as Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP), Doosan Enerbility, Hyundai E&C, and Samsung C&T participating.
Kim said, Our current goal is to complete technology development in 2028 and start generating electricity after completion in 2035. If the levelized cost of electricity comes to about 100 to 120 won per kWh, we believe it can replace natural gas power generation. He added, Many countries and corporations are interested in the i-SMR, but they are skeptical about becoming the first customer. There are many SMRs worldwide, but who succeeds first is the most important. We will make sure to build a successful track record.