On Thursday, October 29, 2026, Doosan Enerbility Co., a South Korean power plant equipment maker, announced that it had secured a contract from U.S.-based small modular reactor (SMR) developer NuScale Power to supply a key reactor component. The deal, signed at Doosan’s headquarters in Changwon, covers production of the first upper reactor pressure vessel (URPV) module for NuScale’s SMR project, expanding Doosan’s cooperation into commercial reactor equipment production.
The URPV forms the upper section of the reactor pressure vessel, the container that holds the high‑temperature, high‑pressure coolant and the nuclear fuel assemblies. By manufacturing this component as a module, NuScale’s SMR design reduces construction costs and shortens building periods, an approach that could make nuclear power more economically competitive with renewables and lower‑emission energy sources.
NuScale’s SMR design was the first in the United States to receive approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The NRC’s endorsement signals confidence in the safety and reliability of the modular approach and paves the way for broader deployment of SMRs in the U.S. and beyond.
Doosan’s supply of the URPV module is a significant milestone for the company’s expansion into the commercial nuclear market. Until now, Doosan has focused primarily on conventional heavy‑pressurised water reactor components, but this contract marks its first foray into the specialized, high‑pressure environment required by SMR designs.
Environmental advocates see the partnership as a positive step toward reducing carbon emissions. The modular design of SMRs allows for scalable deployment, meaning reactors can be added as energy demand grows, helping to displace fossil fuel plants without the long lead times and large capital outlays of traditional nuclear projects.
Furthermore, SMRs are designed with advanced passive safety features, reducing the risk of catastrophic failure. This safety profile, combined with the smaller reactor size, could lower the overall environmental footprint during both construction and operation compared to conventional large‑scale reactors.
Doosan Enerbility’s president, Kim Jong‑doo, emphasized the company’s commitment to low‑carbon energy solutions at the signing ceremony. He noted that the company’s future strategy involves supplying components for other SMR designs and collaborating with international partners to broaden the reach of modular nuclear technology.
NuScale Power’s chief operating officer, Carl Fisher, highlighted the importance of partnerships with manufacturers like Doosan in achieving a rapid scale‑up of SMR deployment. He explained that the modular approach allows for production lines to be built simultaneously in different locations, thereby accelerating time to market.
Industry analysts predict that the supply chain integration enabled by deals such as this could help to reduce the cost of SMRs by up to 30 percent compared to traditional reactors if the manufacturing processes are further refined and standardized.
As governments worldwide set aggressive carbon‑reduction targets, low‑risk, low‑emission nuclear technologies like SMRs are likely to be part of many national strategies. Doosan’s entry into the SMR market could help to meet climate goals by providing a steady supply of modular, safer, and more affordable reactors for both developed and developing economies.
In addition to the commercial implications, the contract contributes to a broader trend of international cooperation in clean energy technology, illustrating how Korean engineering expertise can complement American regulatory approvals to create a more robust supply chain for sustainable power generation.
While the focus remains on delivering a technically sound URPV module, the partnership raises the prospect of further collaboration on other critical SMR components, potentially including the control rod assemblies, feedwater pumps, and active heat transfer systems. Should such expansions occur, they would reinforce infrastructure resilience and support the continuity of low‑carbon electricity production on a global scale.
In summary, Doosan Enerbility’s agreement to supply the upper reactor pressure vessel for NuScale Power’s SMR design signals a notable advancement in the commercial SMR supply chain, which could accelerate the deployment of lower‑emission nuclear power worldwide.
