Participation in i-SMR Technology Development Project
The Most Suitable Power Source for AI Data Centers
"Possessing Exclusive Domestic MMIS Technology... Next-Generation SMR MMIS Standard"
Woori Technology is participating in the Innovative Small Modular Reactor (i-SMR) technology development project. On the 22nd, Woori Technology announced that it had signed an agreement with the ‘Innovative Small Modular Reactor Technology Development Project Group’ to develop a ‘Standard Platform for Modular Reactor MMIS Safety Systems.’ SMRs are gaining attention as the most suitable power source for artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.
The i-SMR technology development project, led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, aims to develop a competitive i-SMR in terms of economic feasibility, safety, and flexibility by 2028, followed by obtaining standard design approval. Through this national project, Woori Technology plans to newly develop nuclear power plant control and instrumentation system (MMIS) modules applicable to SMRs.
Woori Technology is the only domestic company specializing in nuclear power plant MMIS and holds MMIS supply references for major domestic nuclear power plants. Based on its exclusive nuclear technology, it has continuously participated in SMR development projects such as the ‘SMART Nuclear Power Plant’ project and the ‘SMR Alliance.’ As the sole domestic MMIS supplier, Woori Technology is expected to benefit from exports if the Korean-style SMR development succeeds.
With the rapid advancement of AI technology, global big tech companies are actively securing power infrastructure. AI data centers require significantly more power than before. Leading AI companies such as Microsoft and Amazon signed power supply contracts with nuclear power companies last year to operate new data centers.
SMRs are considered the optimal power source for AI data centers. SMRs are modular reactors that are 1/100th the size of large nuclear power plants and can be assembled on-site. They can be installed directly at power demand sites, minimizing transmission costs and significantly reducing construction time.
A Woori Technology official said, “As AI spreads and data center power demand surges, countries around the world are moving toward SMR commercialization to respond to this. As the sole domestic MMIS technology holder, we will develop MMIS standards for next-generation SMRs and contribute to the world’s first SMR commercialization.”
He added, “With increased investment in SMRs, it is expected that SMRs will be included for the first time in the upcoming 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand (Jeon-Gibon). While sales are expected to increase significantly from this year due to increased orders for large nuclear power plants, additional performance growth is possible through SMR exports.”
According to the World Nuclear Association, the global SMR market size is expected to grow to 640 trillion KRW by 2035. During the same period, the UK’s Royal Nuclear Institute also predicted the SMR market would expand to 630 trillion KRW.
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