TerraPower, HD Hyundai forge Natrium reactor pact

In Korea, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, the shipbuilding affiliate of HD Hyundai, announced a strategic agreement with TerraPower on March 12 to expand manufacturing capacity of advanced nuclear plants. The signing was attended by senior officials including TerraPower founder Bill Gates, and HD Hyundai Executive Vice Chairman. Kisun Chung.

TerraPower’s Natrium plant integrates a sodium-cooled fast reactor with an energy storage system. Under the agreement, HD HHI will combine its large-scale industrial production expertise with TerraPower’s advanced reactor technology to establish a manufacturing foundation for commercial deployment. The deal builds on their 2024 contract for HD HHI to supply the reactor vessel for the first Natrium plant in Wyoming.

Kwang-shik Won, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Director of Marine Energy Division said, “With our extensive experience in high-precision manufacturing and large-scale industrial production, we are uniquely positioned to apply our proven expertise to support TerraPower’s vision for commercial deployment.”

“TerraPower is moving forward to quickly supply sodium reactors to the world, including the United States,” said Chris Levesque, CEO of TerraPower. ”We expect to expand the supply chain in line with the increase in energy demand through cooperation with HD Hyundai and successfully build sodium reactors.”

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