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- Samsung C&T and GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy were selected through a competitive evaluation as strategic partners for Studsvik’s ReFirm program, which will begin with four BWRX-300 units totaling approximately 1.2 GW at either Nyköping or Valdemarsvik
- As part of the project execution team, Samsung C&T will contribute its EPC expertise to a phased development designed to standardize delivery, strengthen Swedish industrial participation, and bring the first unit into operation in the mid-2030s
A planned fleet of four BWRX-300 reactors will place Samsung C&T Engineering & Construction (E&C) Group at the center of a 1.2 GW nuclear development in Sweden, establishing a major platform for the company’s SMR expansion in Europe.
Samsung C&T announced on Sept. 3 that it signed an agreement with Studsvik AB, GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GVH), GE Vernova Financial Services and DS Investment Partners to advance Studsvik’s ReFirm nuclear program at its sites in Sweden. The agreement is exclusive for a fixed period, which the parties may extend.
Senior leaders at the ceremony included Karl Thedéen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Studsvik; Jason Cooper, Chief Executive Officer of GVH; and Oh Se-chul, President and Chief Executive Officer of Samsung C&T E&C Group.
Sweden Sets the Stage for New Nuclear Capacity
Across Europe, plans for new nuclear capacity are gaining momentum as countries seek to strengthen energy security and expand lower-carbon power generation. Sweden is pursuing one of the region’s most ambitious roadmaps, aiming to secure 2.5 GW of new nuclear capacity, including SMRs and large-scale reactors, by 2035 and expand that total to 10.0 GW by 2045.
Studsvik, which is leading the new project, was founded in 1947 as the central institution of Sweden’s national nuclear program. The nuclear technology company has capabilities spanning the full industry lifecycle, from new nuclear development and operational support for existing plants to decommissioning. It currently operates in more than 20 countries worldwide. ReFirm became part of Studsvik following the acquisition of Kärnfull Next (KNXT) earlier in 2026. KNXT has worked with GVH on BWRX-300 deployment in Sweden since 2022 and entered a strategic teaming agreement with Samsung C&T in December 2024.
Four BWRX-300 Units With 1.2 GW of Planned Capacity
The project calls for the construction of four 300 MW BWRX-300 small modular reactors developed by GVH, creating a new nuclear power facility with a combined capacity of 1.2 GW. The BWRX-300 builds on established boiling water reactor (BWR) technology, in which water is boiled inside the reactor to produce steam that drives a turbine and generates electricity.
The first four-unit project will be developed at one of two Studsvik sites: its existing licensed nuclear facility in Nyköping, or the Målma site in Valdemarsvik. An application for the Valdemarsvik site was submitted in March 2026 under Sweden’s new approval framework, and the final site will be selected during the development process. The first unit is expected to begin commercial operation in the mid-2030s.
The BWRX-300 is also the reactor technology being deployed at Ontario Power Generation’s Darlington site in Canada, where construction of the Western world’s first commercial SMR is underway. An operating license application was submitted in April, adding further momentum to the technology’s path toward commercialization.
The phased, multi-unit structure is intended to standardize delivery across the program and apply lessons from early deployment to later units, helping improve cost, schedule and productivity outcomes. It is also designed to expand Swedish industrial participation across engineering, procurement, construction and long-term operations, while building a local supply chain for future projects in Sweden and elsewhere in Europe.
A Joint EPC Partnership from Development to Delivery
Samsung C&T and GVH were selected as strategic partners following a competitive process among three groups that began in May 2025. Their selection marks the first step toward the full-scale development of the Swedish SMR project.
Under the agreement, Studsvik will lead permitting, the environmental impact assessment, site rights, community engagement and dialogue with the Swedish government. GVH will lead reactor design, licensing support and cost estimation as the design authority. GVH and Samsung C&T will together form the project execution team, providing single-point responsibility for design and construction delivery.
The agreement moves the project into its next phase of joint development, including commercial, technical, regulatory and financing work, but does not constitute a final investment decision or authorization to construct.
A Foundation for Wider SMR Growth in Europe
With the agreement now in place, Samsung C&T E&C Group will begin full-scale development work for the Swedish SMR project. The company plans to establish the project as a strategic foothold for expanding its presence in Europe’s growing SMR market and, from there, extend its SMR business into global markets.
“Samsung C&T is honored to partner with Studsvik, GE Vernova Hitachi and the other members of the development team to support Sweden’s next generation of nuclear energy. By combining proven technology, world-class EPC execution, operational excellence, and financing capability, we are establishing a strong foundation for the successful development of the ReFirm program,” said Se-chul Oh, President and Chief Executive Officer of Samsung C&T E&C Group.
