Westinghouse, Hyundai deepen cooperation with Fortum

Fortum launched the feasibility study in October 2022 to explore the commercial, technological, and societal prerequisites for new nuclear in the two Nordic countries. The study involved in-depth discussions with several technology vendors, potential partners and customers as well as societal stakeholders.

Fortum announced in March this year that it had selected two large reactor vendors plus one SMR vendor to continue discussions with after concluding its feasibility study. The company said it will continue to deepen the collaboration with two conventional reactor technology providers - EDF (EPR) and Westinghouse-Hyundai (AP1000) - and one small modular reactor developer - GE-Hitachi (BWRX-300).

Westinghouse and Hyundai E&C (HDEC) have now signed an Early Work Agreement with Fortum, which will cover early project planning, site evaluation and focused licensing and permitting activities, including continuation of pre-licensing dialogue and compliance assessments.

"With the AP1000 reactor, Fortum is advancing the world's most proven Gen III+ technology that is setting operational and performance records around the globe," said Elias Gedeon, Senior Vice President of Westinghouse Energy Systems. "Not only will this AP1000 project provide clean, reliable baseload power to the Nordics, it will also deliver real economic benefits and high-quality jobs for years to come while delivering energy security."

"HDEC is deeply honoured that the journey to bring the proven Gen III+ AP1000 reactor to Fortum is taking shape," added Young Choi, Executive Vice President of Hyundai E&C New Energy Division. "As a top-tier global EPC company with 55 years of continuous nuclear construction experience working together with Westinghouse, we will build clean energy and sustainable value in Nordics."

Fortum signed a similar Early Work Agreement with EDF earlier this month for the possible deployment of an EPR reactor.