Samsung C&T’s construction division has partnered with Polish private small modular reactor (SMR) developer Syntos Green Energy (SGE) to expand its SMR business into the Central and Eastern European market. Samsung C&T announced on the 14th that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with SGE, which leads the Polish SMR project and Central and Eastern Europe’s clean energy projects. The signing ceremony was attended by Michal Solowow, Chairman of SGE, Rafal Kaspruf, President of SGE, and Oh Se-cheol, President of Samsung C&T’s construction division.
SGE aims to construct up to 24 SMRs, including Poland’s first SMR plant, using the ‘BWRX-300’, considered one of the key SMR technologies, by the early 2030s. The plan includes expanding the SMR project to other Central and Eastern European countries such as the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Bulgaria, and Romania.
Through this agreement, the two companies will collaborate on feasibility studies, site investigations, and environmental impact assessments necessary for the development of the Polish SMR business. This collaboration will also continue into SGE’s projects in the Central and Eastern Europe market.
The BWRX-300 is a 300 MW SMR technology, an improved version of the Boiling Water Reactor (BWR). It was developed by GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GVH), a joint venture between America’s GE and Japan’s Hitachi. Construction is underway for its application in the western hemisphere’s first SMR project in Ontario, Canada. Sweden’s state-owned power company Vattenfall has also selected the ‘BWRX-300’ as the final candidate for its Ringhals nuclear project.
Oh Se-cheol, President of Samsung C&T, stated, “Our close cooperation with Syntos Green Energy will serve as a milestone in securing a foundation for entering Poland and Central and Eastern Europe.” Rafal Kaspruf, President of SGE, expressed, “By combining Samsung C&T’s global nuclear capabilities with Syntos Green Energy’s SMR business competitiveness, we hope to enhance the potential of the Polish SMR project and offer safe and sustainable energy solutions across Europe.”
Meanwhile, Samsung C&T formed a strategic partnership with GVH in October to expand the SMR business in Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East and held an SMR supply chain event in Sweden. Through this collaboration, Samsung C&T plans to strengthen its position as a key SMR business operator in Europe, not only in Sweden but also in Central and Eastern Europe.