World Nuclear News
South Korea and USA sign nuclear export MoU
The signing of the agreement covering exports of nuclear technology was signed by the US and South Korea on the same day that the leaders of South Korea and the Czech Republic reaffirmed their commitment to projects including the expansion of the Dukovany nuclear power plant.
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The Memorandum of Understanding on Principles Concerning Nuclear Exports and Cooperation finalises a provisional understanding reached in November. It was signed in the presence of South Korea's Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun and US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, who said on X: "Today, the United States and Republic of Korea reaffirmed our shared commitment to advancing peaceful nuclear energy. Together, we’re enhancing energy security, tackling the climate crisis, and ensuring a safer world."
The two countries have worked together on civil nuclear power for more than 70 years, the respective ministries said in a joint statement. "The cornerstone of this cooperation reflects the two countries’ mutual dedication to maximising the peaceful uses of nuclear energy under the highest international standards of nuclear safety, security, safeguards, and non-proliferation.
"This MoU continues to build upon this long-standing partnership and provides a framework for the parties to cooperate in expanding civil nuclear power in third countries while strengthening their respective administration of export controls on civil nuclear technology. It will also provide a pathway to help both countries keep up with the emergence of new technologies in this sector."
Clearing the export path?
The agreement is seen as significant for South Korean nuclear exports to other countries. In August 2024, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power was selected by the Czech government as its preferred bidder to build up to four new nuclear power units in the country. South Korea's APR1000 nuclear power plant is based on original technology from Westinghouse, a US company, so exports of the Korean reactors must also go through US export consent or notification procedures.
There has been an on-going dispute between Westinghouse and KHNP over the issue of intellectual property rights, which is the subject of international arbitration, a process which Westinghouse says is not expected to conclude before the second half of 2025.
Korean industry-academia cooperation to expand nuclear exports
South Korean engineering firm Doosan Enerbility has signed a binding agreement with the International Nuclear Non-proliferation and Cooperation Centre under South Korea's KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School to cooperate on the expansion of nuclear exports.
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The agreement was signed on 26 December during a ceremony attended by representatives from both parties, including Joo-ho Whang, President of the Educational Foundation at KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS); Chang-lak Kim, Acting President of KINGS; Yong-soo Hwang, Head of the International Nuclear Non-proliferation and Cooperation Centre (INC) and Jongdoo Kim, CEO of Doosan Enerbility's Nuclear Business Group.
With the signing of the agreement, Doosan Enerbility and INC agreed to cooperate on reinforcing the global nuclear non-proliferation efforts and pursuing the expansion of nuclear exports. To this end, cooperation will be pursued on developing export policies and cultivating a supportive environment, such as bolstering nuclear partnerships with the USA in the area of nuclear security and strengthening the domestic supply chain.
In addition, in response to the surging electricity demand arising from AI data centres, cooperation will also be pursued in the areas of small modular reactor (SMR) technology development and supply chain establishment. Joint efforts will also be made in building a nuclear non-proliferation culture that promotes peaceful applications of nuclear energy.
"The agreement focuses on creating a favourable export environment based on non-proliferation efforts and developing an export strategy through South Korea-US cooperation," Doosan Enerbility said. "This investment initiative exemplifies our commitment to sustain the nuclear industry by closely collaborating with the academic community."
The International Nuclear Non-proliferation and Cooperation Centre was established by KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School in July 2024. It is currently engaged in various cooperation initiatives with the US National Nuclear Security Administration and Sandia National Laboratories. INC's focus is on devising strategies for the overall nuclear exports process, with its coverage ranging from large nuclear power plants and SMRs to nuclear decommissioning and used nuclear fuel management. It is currently working on building strategic partnerships with numerous institutions at home and abroad to establish a wide-ranging cooperative framework.
"This agreement will play a significant role in contributing to the international community's nuclear non-proliferation efforts and enhancing the competitiveness of our nuclear exports," Doosan Enerbility's Jongdoo Kim said. "We plan to continuously work in collaboration with the INC and will seek to further solidify the position held by Korea's nuclear industry in the global nuclear energy market."
In July 2022, the South Korean government laid out a new energy policy which aims to maintain nuclear's share of the country's energy mix at a minimum of 30% by 2030. It also set the goal of exporting 10 nuclear power plants by 2030, as well as the development of a Korean SMR design.
The following month, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, Doosan Enerbility and nuclear energy equipment and materials manufacturers with the aim of revitalising the country's nuclear industry. The MoU aims to improve the competitiveness of the nuclear industry ecosystem through shared growth, working together to contribute to carbon neutrality, responding to the energy crisis and stabilisation of power supply. Based on this, the industry plans to closely cooperate to create new jobs, develop joint technologies, exchange manpower and expand exports.
The new MoU could pave the way for US governmental consent for the Czech nuclear power plant deal, with negotiations with Westinghouse becoming much more straightforward. "This has become an opportunity to strengthen export control cooperation by establishing an information sharing system for transferring civilian nuclear power technology to third countries," a Korean Trade Ministry official told the Korea JoongAng Daily. "As a 'global comprehensive strategic alliance', we expect it to promote mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in the global market in the future."
Citing South Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance, Korea.net reported that the country's acting president, Choi Sang Mok, told Czech Prime Minister Petr Filala on 8 January that the country intends to "smoothly proceed with major cooperation projects between our two sides like the construction of a nuclear power plant in Dukovany and diplomatic affairs like high-level exchanges".
USA to end restrictions on India's nuclear entities
The USA is finalising the necessary steps to remove long-standing regulations that have prevented civil nuclear cooperation between India's leading nuclear entities and US companies, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has said.
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India and the USA signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement (also known as a 123 Agreement) in 2008, after India - which is not a signatory of the international Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) - reached a safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Kovvada, in Andhra Pradesh, was earmarked for the construction of six AP1000 pressurised water reactors as long ago as 2016, but contractual arrangements have yet to be finalised.
"Although former President Bush and former Prime Minister Singh laid out a vision of civil nuclear cooperation 20 years ago, we have yet to fully realise it," Sullivan said during a speech at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. "But as we work to build clean energy technologies, to enable growth in artificial intelligence, and to help US and Indian energy companies unlock their innovation potential, the Biden administration determined it was time to take the next major step in cementing this partnership."
He said the US government was now taking steps to end restrictions on Indian nuclear entities.
"This is a statement of confidence in the progress we have made - and will continue to make - as strategic partners, and as countries who share a commitment to peaceful nuclear cooperation," Sullivan said. "And it is the result of India's open and transparent engagement with our Administration over the course of the past four years, which has enabled this new chapter to move forward."
Sullivan was speaking at an event jointly organised by the I-Hub Foundation for Cobotics and the Technology Innovation Hub of the Indian Institute of Technology on 6 January. During his two-day trip to India, he also met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
The USA had placed restrictions on more than 200 Indian entities after India tested nuclear weapons in 1998, but many have been taken off the list over the years as bilateral ties evolved, an Indian official told Reuters, requesting anonymity. It reported that the US Department of Commerce's list currently includes at least four entities of India's Department of Atomic Energy, and some Indian nuclear reactors and nuclear power plants.
India's nuclear liability regime has been a stumbling block for overseas nuclear power plant vendors. India in 2010 passed legislation making nuclear plant operators - and not vendors - primarily liable for any damage caused in the event of an accident up to a certain limit, but an operator could still have legal recourse to the supplier with no upper limit set on supplier liability.
The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a group of nuclear supplier countries that contributes to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons by controlling the export of materials, equipment and technology that could potentially be used in their manufacture. All of its members, unlike India, are signatories of the international Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT). Measures including a comprehensive specific safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency, an exception under NSG rules and a round of bilateral nuclear cooperation deals have enabled India to play an increasing part in the international nuclear marketplace.
India applied to join the NSG in May 2016, and the USA has previously pledged to work towards its entry into the group
Site identified for proposed Halden SMR power plant
Norway's Halden Kjernekraft AS has entered into a letter of intent with the owner of a plot of land in Halden identified as a possible location for the construction of a nuclear power plant based on small modular reactors.
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Halden Kjernekraft - 20% owned by Halden municipality with Norsk Kjernekraft and Østfold Energi owning 40% each - was set up in November 2023 to investigate the construction of a nuclear power plant using small modular reactors (SMRs).
The initiative to investigate the deployment of SMRs at Halden, in southeast Norway, came from the municipality itself, which has more than 60 years of experience of hosting the Institute for Energy Technology's nuclear fuel and materials testing reactor. It was declared permanently shut down by the institute in June 2018.
The power plant proposed for Halden may consist of up to four SMRs with a total installed capacity of 1200 MWe and an annual production of 10 TWh.
"In choosing the location, emphasis has been placed on, among other things, stable ground conditions with large flat areas, as well as access to cooling water and a power grid," Norsk Kjernekraft said. "The area is sparsely populated and has good road connections."
The land identified as the potential location for the plant is owned by Store Bjørnstad AS and the agreement covers an area of up to 600 acres (243 hectares).
The next phase of the project will involve detailed studies of all aspects of the proposed location. This includes, among other things, safety, nature conservation, environmental impacts, ecosystem services, emergency preparedness, ground conditions, landscape, infrastructure, grid connection, traffic and outdoor recreation considerations.
"The location, which is located on the south side of the outlet of the Haldenvassdraget to Femsjøen, stands out as a good fit," said Håvard Kristiansen, CEO of Halden Kjernekraft. "We have considered many alternative locations before we decided to investigate this location further. Now we will work closely with the local population to explain what the ongoing investigations include, and what a nuclear power plant could potentially entail. We will investigate the area thoroughly to see if we can move forward."
In addition, space is being set aside for the same type of radioactive waste storage facility as in Finland and Sweden, which can handle the waste from future nuclear power plants in Norway as well as the existing waste from the decommissioned research reactors at Kjeller and in Halden.
"This is an important milestone for the development of nuclear power in Norway," said Norsk Kjernekraft CEO Jonny Hesthammer. "Not only are we launching a location for a nuclear power plant that can ensure security of supply in Eastern Norway, we have also identified a place where we can manage the waste."
Last month, US-based engineering company Amentum and Norwegian consulting firm Multiconsult Norge AS were appointed by Halden Kjernekraft to evaluate the potential for constructing an SMR at Halden. The two companies will carry out an assessment of potential suppliers of equipment and services within Norway and from abroad, as well as reporting on technical standards, environmental impact and other key aspects of any construction programme.
At the time of the launch of Halden Kjernekraft, the partners noted there was currently a power deficit in the Oslo, Akershus and Østfold region of 16 TWh. In addition, Norwegian grid operator Statnett has warned that there is no available capacity for new, larger consumption without new production and increased network capacity into eastern Norway. This is not expected until 2035 under current plans and has major consequences for Østfold.
"The location midway between Oslo and Gothenburg makes Halden a very attractive area for data centres that supply users of artificial intelligence, because such data centres must be located close to the users," Hesthammer said. "A ripple effect analysis from Menon Economics has shown that such a data centre could create several hundred jobs in Halden, in addition to the jobs at the power plant itself."
Norsk Kjernekraft aims to build, own and operate SMR power plants in Norway in collaboration with power-intensive industry. It says it will prepare licence applications in accordance with national regulations and international standards. It will follow the International Atomic Energy Agency's approach for milestones, and focus on what creates value in the early phase. Financing will take place in collaboration with capital-strong industry and solid financial players.
The company said it plans to soon submit the project to Norway's Ministry of Energy, together with a proposal for an assessment programme.
Halden is the fourth possible location for a nuclear power plant that Norsk Kjernekraft has announced. In August last year, it submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Energy for an assessment of the construction of a power plant based on multiple SMRs in the municipality of Øygarden, west of Bergen. That proposal followed proposals submitted for SMR power plants in Aure and Heim municipalities, as well as Vardø municipality.
Dutch consortium to develop molten salt reactors
Dutch technology companies Demcon, Thorizon and VDL Group have signed a project agreement to demonstrate and validate the manufacturability, safety, and functionality of critical components and non-nuclear (sub)systems of these reactors.
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The partnership between Demcon, Thorizon and VDL Group was formalised in October last year during a visit by Climate and Green Growth Minister Sophie Hermans to the Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research (DIFFER), a leading research institute in Eindhoven. During the visit, the consortium partners, along with DIFFER, signed a letter of intent to accelerate small modular reactor (SMR) technology development in the Netherlands.
A project agreement between the partners was signed in December.
The companies aim to establish an advanced testing facility where molten salt reactor technologies can be developed and tested.
In early December, the consortium reached a major milestone by submitting a grant application to the Province of Noord-Brabant. Thorizon said this application underlines the commitment of the involved parties to foster innovation and sustainable development in the region.
In 2021, Noord-Brabant launched the innovation coalition 'Nuclear Energy for the Future' with the goal of leveraging the manufacturing industry and research institutes in the province to accelerate the development of molten salt reactors (MSRs).
"Participating in this project will not only provide companies with valuable experience but also help them attain the qualifications needed to become part of the supply chain for SMRs and large-scale reactors planned in the Netherlands," Thorizon said. "This strengthens the competitiveness of the Dutch manufacturing sector, creates new jobs, and fosters innovation. The project aims to deliver several component prototypes and a test facility in Noord-Brabant within two and a half years."
"For Thorizon, this is a unique opportunity," said Thorizon CEO Kiki Lauwers. "Companies like VDL and Demcon have unparalleled experience in realising high-tech projects, from concept to prototype and serial production. During our collaboration with DIFFER, we have seen that Brabant offers world-class knowledge and facilities and can act quickly. With these partners, we share an ambitious and pragmatic mindset that is crucial for our development and successful collaboration."
Thorizon - a spin-off from NRG, which operates the High Flux Reactor in Petten - is developing a 250 MWt/100 MWe MSR, targeted at large industrial customers and utilities. The company plans to begin constructing its first reactor, Thorizon One, around 2030. Thorizon collaborates with industry leaders such as Orano, Tractebel and EDF, and its project has been selected by the European Commission and the French government under the France 2030 investment plan.
MSRs use molten fluoride salts as primary coolant, at low pressure. They may operate with epithermal or fast neutron spectrums, and with a variety of fuels. Much of the interest today in reviving the MSR concept relates to using thorium (to breed fissile uranium-233), where an initial source of fissile material such as plutonium-239 needs to be provided.
The DIFFER research institute conducts leading-edge research on fusion energy and chemical energy and supports the development of MSRs through its unique DICE (DIFFER Irradiation-Corrosion Experiment) research facility, where the interaction between corrosion, heat, and radiation is studied to optimise material choices.
Deep Fission and Endeavour announce strategic partnership
California-based nuclear startup company Deep Fission, which is proposing to place microreactors deep underground, and Endeavour Energy LLC have committed to co-develop 2 GW of nuclear energy to power Endeavour's expanding portfolio of data centres. The first reactors are expected to be operational in 2029.
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Deep Fission aims to locate 15 MWe pressurised water reactors (PWRs) about one mile (1.6 km) underground in a 30-inch borehole. The reactor operates at the same pressure (160 atmospheres) as a standard PWR, and at the same core temperatures (about 315°C). As with a standard PWR, the heat is transferred to a steam generator at depth to boil water, and the non-radioactive steam rises rapidly to the surface where a standard steam turbine converts the energy to its electricity.
The company says its concept eliminates the need for large pressure vessels and containment structures, significantly reducing costs while enhancing safety, sustainability, and operational efficiency. It says this can be done using conventional low-enriched uranium fuel and an existing supply chain.
Deep Fission is currently in pre-application engagement with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The NRC has reviewed the conceptual design white paper. Deep Fission expects to submit site-specific applications in 2026. The first US reactors are expected to begin operation in 2029. Endeavour and Deep Fission are also engaged with other nuclear regulatory agencies and may begin international operations before 2029.
Deep Fission said its collaboration with Endeavour "represents a major leap forward in deploying next-generation nuclear power to meet the growing demands of energy-intensive industries".
"There is significant momentum for nuclear power right now, but the cost is still a challenge," said Elizabeth Muller, co-founder and CEO of Deep Fission. "Our technology not only ensures the highest levels of safety but also positions us to deliver zero-carbon continuous power at a cost of just 5-7 cents per kWh. The partnership between Deep Fission and Endeavour is a game-changer for data centre customers around the world."
Endeavour Energy is a sustainable infrastructure company, specialising in data centre development, waterless cooling, microgrids, and renewable energy technologies. Its Edged data centre platform is a gigawatt-scale global network of ultra-efficient, waterless data centres.
"We are constantly searching for technologies capable of supporting the unprecedented demands of AI and meeting green energy goals, but they have to be economically viable," said Jakob Carnemark, founder of Endeavour and Edged data centres. "Deep Fission's solution slashes the high costs and long timelines of surface-built nuclear projects, enhances safety, and delivers clean, reliable energy with high power density of more than 100 MW in a quarter acre. We're excited to play a pivotal role in advancing this transformative approach."
Deep Fission was founded in 2023 by father-daughter team Elizabeth and Richard Muller, who also co-founded Deep Isolation in 2016 to develop the concept of placing canisters of radioactive waste hundreds of metres underground via a borehole.
The agreement between Deep Fission and Endeavour follows several announcements by global tech giants related to nuclear energy.
Microsoft announced in September it had signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Constellation that will see Three Mile Island unit 1 restarted. Google announced in October it had agreed to purchase energy from Kairos Power under a deal that would support the first commercial deployment of its fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature advanced small modular reactors by 2030 and aim for a fleet totalling 500 MW of capacity by 2035. Amazon also announced a series of agreements that will see it taking a stake in advanced nuclear reactor developer X-energy and rolling out its Xe-100 advanced SMR initially at a project in Washington State. In December, US nuclear power plant developer Oklo signed a non-binding Master Power Agreement with data centre designer, builder and operator Switch to deploy 12 GW of Oklo Aurora powerhouse projects by 2044
Brazil to get nuclear physical security training centre
A proposed centre providing training for specialists in physical protection systems for nuclear and radioactive installations and in transport operations has been selected for funding by Brazil's Funding Agency for Studies and Projects.
The Nuclear Physical Security Training Centre will be housed at the Institute of Nuclear Engineering (Portuguese: Instituto de Engenharia Nuclear (IEN/CNEN)) and will be a facility, with partnerships across the country, region and with global agencies. The target is to have the centre fully operational within three years.
Cristóvão Araripe Marinho, director of the institute, said: "The project foresees the installation of the most modern equipment and physical security systems, enabling practical classes to be taught, which constitutes an important differentiator."
João Régis dos Santos, head of the Radiological Safety and Protection Division, said the courses would be taught by specialists trained at international physical protection training centres, such as those in the USA, Austria and Russia, and would seek to establish partnerships across Brazil's nuclear sector, government and academia and global specialists such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, the World Institute for Nuclear Security, the US Department of Energy and Russia's Rosatom Technical Academy.
He said training would be targeted at professionals working in nuclear physical security in Brazil and Latin America, including those supported by international agencies and programmes, specialists linked to the Physical Security Office, personnel working in nuclear and radiological safety and specialist response forces.
According to the announcement from the National Nuclear Energy Commission (Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear, CNEN) the financing agency selected the project for support after a call for proposals for "national centres for thematic scientific and technological research infrastructure in the areas of energy transition, ecological transition, digital transformation, health and defence".
Westinghouse CEO Patrick Fragman to step down
Westinghouse Electric Company CEO and President Patrick Fragman has announced that he will step down at the end of March after more than five years in the role.
The company said that Fragman intends to spend more time in Europe with his family, but would "continue to support Westinghouse for a few more months after March 31 to facilitate the handover to the new CEO".
Mitch Davidson, Chairman of the Westinghouse Board of Directors, said: "We thank Patrick for his dedication and leadership during a transformational period for Westinghouse and the nuclear industry. Patrick has been instrumental in the turnaround of Westinghouse. During his tenure, Patrick successfully positioned Westinghouse to be the leading innovator and developer of nuclear technologies globally. Westinghouse now embarks on its next chapter with a unique profitable growth strategy for both the installed base of nuclear plants and new-build reactors of all sizes."
Tim Gitzel, president and CEO of Cameco, which together with Brookfield acquired Westinghouse in 2023, said: "Westinghouse is a pioneer in the nuclear energy industry and is regarded as a leader in nuclear innovation and plant services. We thank Patrick for his leadership and wish him and his family all the best in the future."
Dan Sumner, former operating plant services president, has now assumed the role of deputy CEO and will become interim president and CEO when Fragman leaves. A recruitment process is under way for a new CEO.
Davidson added: "Dan has been an instrumental leader for Westinghouse over the past 14 years, including in his role as chief financial officer and most recently president of the Operating Plant Services business. Dan is uniquely positioned to take the helm of the organisation at this time."
Before taking up the Westinghouse role in August 2019, Fragman was group senior vice president at ABB Limited and had previously spent 15 years at Alstom in senior roles based in the Canada, China, France and the USA, including leading its nuclear business. He had also worked in various energy-focused roles within the French government. He received an engineering degree from École des Mines de Paris.
