Nuclear company backed by Bill Gates partners with Hyundai for next-generation 345 MW nuclear reactor

Written by Fabio Lucas Carvalho

Published on 21/05/2026 at 12:44

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HD Hyundai Heavy Industries was chosen as the preferred manufacturer of components for the Reactor Enclosure System of the Natrium reactor, developed by TerraPower, in a nuclear agreement that follows a one-year joint study and seeks to create an industrial base for future serial production

The partnership positions HD Hyundai Heavy Industries as the preferred manufacturer of the Natrium Reactor Enclosure System, following a one-year study on cost, feasibility, and timelines, and creates an industrial base to attempt to bring fourth-generation reactors to commercial serial construction.

The next-generation nuclear sector gained an industrial boost on May 20, 2026, with the agreement between HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and TerraPower to manufacture components for the Natrium reactor.

For the reader, the central point is that the commercialization of advanced reactors does not depend solely on technology. It also requires defined suppliers, evaluated costs, delivery timelines, and the ability to repeat manufacturing at scale.

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Nuclear agreement aims at serial production

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, a shipbuilding subsidiary of HD Hyundai, signed a Sodium Reactor Supply Framework Agreement with TerraPower, a U.S.-based nuclear innovation company.

The ceremony brought together Kwang-shik Won and Chris Levesque.

Under the agreement, the South Korean company was chosen as the preferred manufacturer of components for the Natrium Reactor Enclosure System, or RES. The selection considers HD Hyundai’s manufacturing capabilities, technical knowledge, industrial experience, and production history.

The plan begins with First-of-a-Kind components. With successful production, the companies intend to expand collaboration to Nth-of-a-Kind serial manufacturing, aimed at subsequent units.

nuclear energy — HD Hyundai recently signed a Framework Agreement on Natrium Reactor Supply with TerraPower, a nuclear innovation company, in the U.S. (From the left: Kwang-shik Won, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries; Chris Levesque, President and CEO of TerraPower.)

One-year study measured cost, timeline, and feasibility

The agreement expands the “Strategic Agreement for Manufacturing Supply Chain Expansion for Sodium Reactor Commercialization,” signed in March last year. For a year, the companies assessed feasibility, costs, and delivery schedules.

This stage gives practical meaning to the announcement. Before building larger-scale plants, the nuclear sector needs to know who will produce critical equipment, how it will be delivered, and if there will be sufficient industrial base to repeat the process.

Kwang-shik Won, Senior Executive Vice President and Head of the Offshore and Energy Division of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, stated: “This Framework Agreement not only strengthens our strategic collaboration with TerraPower but also serves as an essential foundation for our entry into the global nuclear market“

He added: “Through our joint research, we will strive to ensure the timely supply of equipment for Natrium reactors and establish a serial production base to ensure a formidable global competitive advantage.“

Natrium Reactor is licensed in the U.S.

The Natrium is a fourth-generation sodium-cooled fast reactor developed by TerraPower. The company treats a stable supply chain for the RES as a priority to accelerate the construction of Natrium plants.

In the United States, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved the construction of the Natrium reactor in Wyoming. The license covers the Kemmerer Unit 1, a 345-megawatt project pointed out as the first advanced commercial-scale nuclear plant of its kind in the country.

Chris Levesque, President and CEO of TerraPower, said: “Establishing a framework agreement with HD Hyundai ensures that we have the production capacity available to support our commercialization plans and build Natrium plants in the U.S. and worldwide”

He added: “HD Hyundai’s manufacturing expertise and commitment to continuous improvement give us confidence in our ability to provide resilient, reliable, and affordable nuclear energy to our customers on a large scale”

In addition to supply, HD Hyundai signed a tripartite memorandum with TerraPower and Hyundai Engineering & Construction for next-generation nuclear projects. The cooperation targets engineering, procurement, construction, and equipment for markets like the U.S. and other countries.

No deadlines have been announced yet to complete the first units.

This article was prepared based on information released by the channel IE and prnewswire. The content was supported by AI tools in editorial organization and underwent human review before publication.

Nuclear company backed by Bill Gates partners with Hyundai for next-generation 345 MW nuclear reactor

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries was chosen as the preferred manufacturer of components for the Reactor Enclosure System of the Natrium reactor, developed by TerraPower, in a nuclear agreement that follows a one-year joint study and seeks to create an industrial base for future serial production

Oil market could enter a real panic as early as the beginning of June if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and stocks reach their limit, warns research company.

Nuclear agreement aims at serial production

One-year study measured cost, timeline, and feasibility

Natrium Reactor is licensed in the U.S.

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Nuclear company backed by Bill Gates partners with Hyundai for next-generation 345 MW nuclear reactor

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries was chosen as the preferred manufacturer of components for the Reactor Enclosure System of the Natrium reactor, developed by TerraPower, in a nuclear agreement that follows a one-year joint study and seeks to create an industrial base for future serial production

Oil market could enter a real panic as early as the beginning of June if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and stocks reach their limit, warns research company.

Nuclear agreement aims at serial production

One-year study measured cost, timeline, and feasibility

Natrium Reactor is licensed in the U.S.

While an average building in London or New York takes three years to be completed, in China a 26-story tower went up in five days with about 100 workers, and the global modular construction market already moves US$ 95 billion per year.

Australia installs giant concrete structures on the seabed 800 meters from the shore to create an ocean intake for desalination that will draw in saltwater and produce 30 million liters of drinking water per day.

While a traditional school may take several days just to raise walls, in Malawi a 3D-printed school had its structure ready in 18 hours, welcomed children in June, and showed a new solution to the lack of classrooms.

Goodbye traditional washing machine: Panasonic surprises housewives with the NA-G5 featuring four drums, a 13 kg washer and dryer, a 12 kg dryer, independent mini washers, a heat pump, and a 4-in-1 system awarded at the German Design Award.

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