As nuclear energy continues to gain ground in the global energy equation, synergies between corporate giants for its promotion are accelerating.
The most recent example is the collaboration between the South Korean giant HD Hyundai and the nuclear reactor design and development company TerraPower. As part of this collaboration, on Friday, August 22, the head of TerraPower, Bill Gates, met with the Executive Vice Chairman of HD Hyundai, Chung Ki-sun.
The meeting focused on efforts to promote and expand the supply chain for Natrium nuclear reactors. This meeting was the first reunion of the two parties, five months after the initial talks, which took place in the US last March.
It is recalled that, during the previous meeting of HD Hyundai and TerraPower, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed to promote and expand the global supply chain for Natrium reactors. These are considered among the most advanced small modular reactors (SMRs) globally, as they offer high performance, safety, and approximately 40% less nuclear waste compared to conventional reactors.
It is noted that HD Hyundai is also intensifying its efforts to develop ships that will utilize nuclear energy for their propulsion. In this context, it is collaborating with TerraPower for potential applications of molten salt reactors (MSR) in the shipbuilding industry.
