Doosan Enerbility Co., a South Korean power‑plant equipment maker, announced on October 29, 2026 that it has secured a contract from U.S. small‑modular reactor developer NuScale Power to supply the upper reactor pressure vessel (URPV) module for the latter’s SMR design, in Seoul. This contract marks the first time Doosan will produce a commercial SMR component, extending its cooperation into production of nuclear reactor equipment.
The URPV forms the upper section of the reactor pressure vessel, the large chamber that contains the high‑temperature, high‑pressure coolant used to remove heat from the core. NuScale’s SMR design, the first to receive approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, uses modular construction to reduce construction costs and shorten building periods by manufacturing major components as modules for assembly at construction sites.
Doosan will manufacture the first URPV module for NuScale’s SMR project. The URPV’s role is to support and contain the reactor core while allowing access for maintenance, and its design must accommodate extreme pressures and temperatures encountered during reactor operation.
NuScale Power, headquartered in California, has developed an SMR with a 50‑megawatt electric output that can be deployed in a range of settings, from remote industrial sites to small urban grids. The company’s design achieved regulatory approval in 2023, giving it a foothold in the U.S. market for future SMR deployments.
For Doosan Enerbility, the contract signals a strategic shift toward participation in the emerging SMR market. The South Korean company has traditionally supplied equipment for large conventional nuclear reactors and has now begun to diversify its portfolio with modular nuclear technology.
While the agreement was signed in Seoul, the URIV will be fabricated in Doosan’s Changwon factory, as the company’s production facilities support the high‑precision manufacturing required for nuclear components. The choice of Changwon highlights South Korea’s growing role in the global nuclear supply chain.
Industry observers note that the partnership could accelerate the deployment of SMRs in North America. By combining Korean manufacturing expertise with American regulatory success, the collaboration may set a precedent for future international partnerships in nuclear technology.
The deal is the latest in a series of moves by various manufacturers to enter the SMR sector, driven by demand for scalable, low‑carbon energy sources. As the U.S. and other nations aim to meet climate targets, small modular reactors are gaining attention for their potential to provide reliable base‑load power with reduced upfront costs.
In summary, Doosan Enerbility’s contract with NuScale Power to supply the URPV module represents a notable alliance between a Korean equipment specialist and an American SMR developer, underscoring the increasing global collaboration shaping the future of nuclear energy.
