South Korea considers NuScale small modular reactor for hydrogen production

A South Korean project for a national nuclear and hydrogen industrial complex could use a small modular reactor from NuScale. Representatives of Uljin County signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on a feasibility study for building a NuScale VOYGR-6 plant with an electrical capacity of 462 MW. The industrial complex and reactor are due to enter operation in 2030.

Representatives of Uljin County in South Korea’s North Gyeongsang Province signed a memorandum of understanding with GS Energy on the use of a small modular reactor (SMR). Specifically, the project would use a VOYGR-6 SMR from US company NuScale. It would be built as part of the Nuclear Hydrogen National Industrial Complex project.

“Our goal is to build an industrial complex focused on nuclear and hydrogen energy. Other hydrogen companies can benefit from a small modular reactor whose primary role is to supply clean energy to the entire complex,” said Uljin County Governor Sohn Byong-bok.

The planned VOYGR-6, with an electrical capacity of 482 MW, consists of six 77 MW pressurised water reactor modules. In addition to electricity, the plant will also supply heat to the complex.

Construction of the plant is scheduled to begin in 2028 under current plans. The parties expect approval from the South Korean government to take about five years. It could be completed in 2030, alongside the opening of the rest of the industrial complex, construction of which began last year.

Development of small modular reactors

Competition to take the lead in the SMR market is intensifying. In addition to NuScale Power, whose design has received US certification, small reactors are being developed by TerraPower, X-Energy, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy and Holtec International. Most recently, Westinghouse also unveiled its modular reactor.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the market for small modular reactors will grow up to 45-fold between 2027 and 2035, reaching more than CZK 10 trillion.

“We expect the Uljin Nuclear Hydrogen National Industrial Complex project, which the county supports, to gain momentum through this memorandum of understanding and close cooperation with central government ministries, such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Industry,” Sohn Byong-bok added.

Uljin County is already home to the Shin-Hanul nuclear power plant, which has two AP-1400 reactors. The first entered commercial operation in December last year.