Korea eyes slice of global SMR market after pact with US, Japan

South Korea, the United States, and Japan have formed a new partnership aimed at expanding their influence in the global small modular reactor (SMR) market. The agreement, signed last week by the foreign ministers of the three nations during the NATO Summit in Ankara, focuses on deploying SMR technology in third-party countries, particularly within the Indo-Pacific region. This collaboration is expected to provide significant opportunities for South Korean firms such as Doosan Enerbility, SK Group, and HD Hyundai Group. The memorandum of cooperation outlines a strategy to leverage each country's strengths: U.S. technological innovation, Japanese expertise in precision materials and components, and South Korea's manufacturing and construction capabilities. Together, they aim to identify international markets interested in adopting SMR technology, facilitate the formation of energy company consortia, develop supply chains, and pursue joint projects in countries seeking reliable, low-carbon power solutions. Experts suggest that countries such as India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam may be among the first to consider SMR deployment under this initiative. These nations are exploring options to diversify their energy portfolios and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The U.S. hosts some of the world's leading SMR developers, including NuScale Power, TerraPower, X-energy, and GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy. Meanwhile, Japan brings its established capabilities in nuclear materials and precision machinery, while South Korean companies have extensive experience in manufacturing large-scale nuclear equipment and managing complex power plant projects. South Korea's competitive advantage appears to lie not necessarily in developing reactor technology itself, but in transforming U.S. innovations into commercially viable power plants. Korean firms could supply critical components such as reactor vessels and steam generators, along with engineering, procurement, and construction services. Additionally, the nation's shipbuilding sector offers fabrication and modular construction capabilities that could be adapted for serial reactor production. Doosan Enerbility, South Korea's largest nuclear equipment manufacturer, stands to benefit significantly from the expanded partnership. The company has long collaborated with leading U.S. developers, including TerraPower, NuScale Power, and X-energy. For NuScale, Doosan has produced long-lead materials and is preparing to manufacture key reactor-module components. Under a binding reservation agreement with X-energy, it has secured manufacturing capacity for major steel components for the first 16 Xe-100 reactors, including reactor pressure vessels and steam-generator pressure vessels. Doosan is also involved in supporting TerraPower's first Natrium reactor project, conducting manufacturability reviews and design support for three major components: the reactor guard vessel, reactor support structure, and core barrel structure. The company plans to manufacture these components for the project. Beyond the U.S., Doosan has expanded its reach, recently being selected by Britain’s Rolls-Royce SMR as a strategic supplier for key components, including work related to reactor pressure vessels for projects in the UK and the Czech Republic. A Doosan Enerbility official expressed optimism about the trilateral cooperation, stating that it could lead to more SMR projects and equipment orders in various countries. However, the official noted that the agreement remains in its early stages and has not yet translated into specific contracts. The initiative reflects growing interest in SMR technology globally, driven by the need for clean, reliable energy sources. As the three countries move forward with their collaboration, the success of their efforts will depend on identifying suitable markets, forming effective partnerships, and overcoming technical and regulatory challenges. The potential impact of this alliance on the global nuclear energy landscape remains to be seen, but it signals a significant step toward international cooperation in advancing SMR deployment.