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Poland and South Korea Partner to Accelerate Small Modular Reactor Deployment in Eastern Europe
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A strategic alliance between Poland’s Synthos Green energy and South Korea’s Samsung C&T corporation aims to rapidly expand the availability of advanced nuclear energy across Central and Eastern Europe. The collaboration will focus on deploying GE Vernova Hitachi’s (GVH) innovative BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) technology, bolstering energy security and accelerating the transition to carbon-neutral energy systems.
The partnership, formalized through a memorandum of understanding, unites Synthos Green Energy’s (SGE) expertise in nuclear technology deployment with Samsung C&T’s extensive global engineering and construction capabilities.According to a company release, the objective is to establish a framework for future cooperation centered on developing SMR projects utilizing the BWRX-300 throughout the region.
Initial efforts will concentrate on feasibility studies, site surveys, and environmental impact assessments for SGE’s planned SMR project in Poland. Beyond Poland, the companies anticipate expanding collaboration into other Central and Eastern European markets, including the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Bulgaria, and Romania. A key component of the agreement includes exploring a potential investment by Samsung C&T into SGE’s international SMR progress platform.
“SGE is proud to deepen and align our relationship with Samsung as a potential equity partner,” stated Michał Sołowow, owner and founder of SGE.”Their proven capabilities in delivering nuclear projects will strengthen SGE’s SMR development platform and accelerate the deployment of safe, enduring, and cost-effective energy across Europe.”
Samsung C&T President and CEO Oh Se-cheol echoed this sentiment,saying,”Partnering with SGE strengthens our shared vision of accelerating the deployment of innovative nuclear technologies. Together, we aim to make SMRs a cornerstone of sustainable energy systems, ensuring energy security and driving the global shift toward a carbon-neutral future.”
Understanding the BWRX-300 Technology
The BWRX-300 is a 300 MWe water-cooled SMR utilizing natural circulation and incorporating passive safety systems.This design leverages the established foundation of GVH’s US Nuclear Regulatory Commission-certified ESBWR boiling water reactor and its licensed GNF2 fuel design. The first BWRX-300 unit is currently under construction at Ontario Power Generation’s Darlington site in Canada, with completion anticipated before the end of the decade.
Poland’s Ambitious SMR Plans
SGE’s commitment to SMR technology is ample. In December 2021, SGE, alongside GE Hitachi and BWXT Canada, signed a Letter of Intent to collaborate on deploying BWRX-300 SMRs in Poland.OSGE, a joint venture between SGE and PKN orlen, currently plans to deploy a fleet of 24 BWRX-300 reactors across Poland, having already initiated development at three separate sites with a goal of completing the first unit by 2032.
This latest partnership with Samsung C&T builds upon a pre-existing strategic alliance between GVH and Samsung C&T, signed in October, to advance BWRX-300 deployment in global markets outside North america. That earlier agreement focused on developing the supply chain and project delivery solutions necessary for accomplished SMR implementation.
Samsung C&T brings over 40 years of experience in engineering and construction to the table, including a proven track record in the nuclear energy sector, highlighted by its delivery of the Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates. This expertise is expected to be invaluable in navigating the complexities of SMR project development and deployment.
The collaboration signals a significant step forward in the global adoption of SMR technology, offering a potentially transformative solution for meeting growing energy demands while together addressing climate change concerns.
