Samsung C&T begins initial planning stage of Romanian SMR project

Samsung C&T began the front-end engineering design phase of a small modular reactor project in Romania with three U.S. engineering firms.

An aerial view of NuScale Power's small modular reactor (SMR) power plant [SAMSUNG C&T]

Samsung C&T kicked off the preparatory stage in the deployment of a small modular reactor (SMR) in Romania with three U.S. engineering companies, the construction and trading arm said on Thursday.

Samsung C&T said that it will jointly carry out the front-end engineering design for a year with Fluor, NuScale Power and Sargent & Lundy to build a 462-megawatt SMR in the Eastern European nation.

The front-end engineering design stage is the initial phase of the project that includes the formulation of plans for permits, construction costs and duration, as well as preparations for engineering, procurement and building.

Romania aims to replace the existing coal-fired power plant in Doicesti with SMRs based on technology provided by NuScale Power, and further expand the project in the European region in the future.

Commercial operation is set to begin in 2030.

Samsung C&T, along with NuScale Power, aims to propel advancement into the global SMR market following a European Union initiative supporting a phaseout of coal in member countries by 2030.

The construction company has invested $70 million in NuScale Power, a Portland, Oregon-based SMR startup that was the first and remains the only company to have received U.S. National Regulatory Commission approval for an SMR design back in 2020.

The announcement comes a year after Samsung C&T signed a memorandum of understanding in Bucharest, Romania, to collaborate on the project with five other companies, including three from Romania: a state-run nuclear power company Nuclearelectrica, infrastructure developer E-Infra and power supplier Nova Power & Gas.

“The Romanian SMR project is a very significant milestone as the first energy source to replace coal-fired power plants in Europe,” Samsung C&T spokesperson said in a statement. “Through this contract, we plan to strengthen our position as a global SMR player.”

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]