DL E&C Accelerates SMR Business Expansion... Partners with X-Energy and KEPCO KPS

DL E&C announced on the 15th that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with X-energy, a U.S. small modular reactor (SMR) developer, and Korea Plant Service & Engineering (KPS), a company specializing in nuclear power plant operation and maintenance, to collaborate on global SMR business development, commissioning, and maintenance technology development.

Perspective view of the Xe-100 power plant by X Energy / Image courtesy of DL E&C

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Through this MOU, the three companies will promote the development of a global SMR plant business applying the 'Xe-100,' which X-energy is developing as a representative SMR model. They will also jointly develop technologies for SMR plant operation and maintenance. Additionally, leveraging each company's networks and expertise, they plan to pursue various businesses linked to SMRs in the global market.

DL E&C expects that this collaboration will enable them to secure technological competitiveness across the entire SMR lifecycle, including SMR plant design, procurement, construction (EPC), as well as operation and maintenance.

DL E&C is nurturing SMR, recognized as a next-generation eco-friendly energy source, as a future growth engine. In January last year, it made a strategic investment of $20 million in X-energy to actively pursue business development. SMRs generate high heat during operation, which can be utilized to produce other eco-friendly energy sources such as hydrogen or ammonia. DL E&C plans to expand its new business portfolio by establishing an eco-friendly energy value chain integrated with the SMR business.

Yoo Jae-ho, Head of DL E&C’s Plant Business Division, said, "DL E&C is striving to lead the SMR market based on world-class power plant EPC technology and extensive experience in various nuclear power projects. Given that companies with top expertise in each field have participated in this MOU, we have high expectations for concrete business and technology development."

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