Oklo, KHNP to cooperate on SMR projects

Under the agreement, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) and Oklo plan to collaborate on the standard design development and licensing strategy for Oklo's planned Aurora powerhouse. The two companies also aim to cooperate in the fabrication of key equipment, establishment of balance of plant supply chains, and market feasibility assessments.

The Aurora powerhouse is a fast neutron reactor that uses heat pipes to transport heat from the reactor core to a supercritical carbon dioxide power conversion system to generate electricity. It uses metallic fuel to produce up to 50 MWe as well as producing usable heat, and can operate on fuel made from fresh high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) or used nuclear fuel. Oklo says it aims to deploy its first commercial unit before the end of the decade.

Oklo's model is to build, own and operate its reactors - it will be selling power rather than power plants. The company, founded in 2013, says its deployment model can be tailored to individual needs and will help industries reduce reliance on existing grids.

Oklo plans to deploy its 75 MWe Aurora powerhouse at the Idaho National Laboratory site and is currently advancing through the licensing process. The company is engaged with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission in a Pre-Application Readiness Assessment and intends to submit a formal Combined Licence Application later this year. Oklo said it also plans to file follow-on applications to support its growing order pipeline, which exceeds 14 GW.

"We've recently completed site characterisation borehole drilling for our first commercial powerhouse and are preparing for construction, with commercialisation as a top priority," said Oklo co-founder and CEO Jacob DeWitte. "Partnering with KHNP, one of the most accomplished nuclear builders in the world, who have been building nuclear power plants continuously since 1971, offers meaningful opportunities to align on key execution factors such as manufacturability, constructability, and supply chain development. Their experience in delivering projects at scale can complement our efforts and help us move more efficiently toward commercialisation and the ability to build future powerhouses faster."

KHNP President Joo-ho Whang added: "We are striving to ensure Korea's innovative SMR (i-SMR) achieves world-class competitiveness through continued technology development. In the rapidly evolving 4th-generation SMR market, where safety remains a top priority, close cooperation with global technology leaders is essential to secure early market entry. By combining the strengths of leading US SMR companies and KHNP, we anticipate powerful synergy in the design, construction, and operation of next-generation SMRs."

The Korean-designed i-SMR is an integrated pressurised water reactor nuclear power plant with an electrical output of 170 MW. It is being developed according to a development roadmap, with the goal of completing the standard design by the end of 2025 and obtaining standard design approval in 2028. According to KHNP, it requires just one-third of the investment, and can be constructed in half the time compared with large reactors.

Article researched and written by WNN's Warwick Pipe