Samsung C&T Engineering & Construction (E&C) Group has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Sweden’s Kärnfull Next AB to develop Small Modular Reactor (SMR) projects in Sweden. Signed during a bilateral business summit in Seoul, the collaboration aims to construct Sweden’s first SMR power plant by 2032, directly supplying electricity to expanding data centers. This partnership marks Samsung C&T’s latest step toward expanding its SMR business across Europe, following previous agreements in Romania.
Samsung C&T E&C Group has set its sights on Sweden’s burgeoning nuclear energy market. On December 5, the company signed an MOU with Kärnfull Next AB, a leading Swedish developer of SMR projects and a subsidiary of nuclear power company Kärnfull Energi, during the Sweden-Korea Strategic Industry Summit at the Grand Hyatt Seoul.
This partnership underscores Samsung C&T’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions, with plans to construct Sweden’s first SMR power plant by 2032. The electricity generated will directly support the growing energy demands of Sweden’s expanding data center industry.
Meeting Growing Energy Demands with SMRs
Kärnfull Next has already completed preliminary site evaluations in southeastern Sweden for SMR plant construction, including municipalities such as Valdemarsvik and Nyköping. Together, Samsung C&T and Kärnfull Next will collaborate on critical next steps, including technology selection, environmental impact assessments, and SPV project financing.
The Re:Firm South program envisions SMR campuses featuring at least two reactors, providing reliable, clean electricity to the national grid and directly powering energy-intensive facilities like AI data centers through direct or indirect power purchase agreements (PPAs).
Sweden’s government has committed to expanding its nuclear energy infrastructure, unveiling a roadmap to add at least 2,500 MW of capacity by 2035. This initiative aims to address the increasing power demands of data centers and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.
Expanding Europe’s SMR Market
Samsung C&T’s partnership with Kärnfull Next builds on its growing presence in the European nuclear energy market. Earlier this year, the company signed a similar agreement with Romania’s nuclear authority to co-develop SMR projects, with ongoing work on Front-End Engineering Design (FEED). These efforts position Samsung C&T as a key player in Europe’s transition to sustainable, nuclear-powered energy solutions.
Beyond Sweden, the collaboration is expected to pave the way for innovative energy parks and SMR campuses across the Nordics, contributing to regional energy transformation and the adoption of nuclear technology.
