"Korea Excels in Shipbuilding and Nuclear Engineering Talent"... Danish Reactor Firm Seeks Korean Experts [Interview]

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"Denmark lacks an infrastructure for nuclear engineering education. We plan to hire more Korean nuclear engineers for research and development."

Klaus Niengaard, CEO of Saltforce Energy, stated in an interview with Asia Economy at the company’s headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, on the 16th (local time), "A nuclear renaissance is coming to Europe as well," and announced plans to hire more Korean engineers.

Saltforce is a Danish company developing the Compact Molten Salt Reactor (CMSR), a next-generation small modular reactor (SMR). The company is currently collaborating with Samsung Heavy Industries and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power to jointly develop nuclear power plants. Saltforce plans to build nuclear power plants that float at sea, a method that differs from traditional land-based reactors by mounting them on ships and other vessels. ([Corporate Research Center] "Korea does it well, so we asked for help"... Scientists drinking beer send an SOS after a nuclear technology breakthrough)

Saltforce is a Danish company developing the Compact Molten Salt Reactor (CMSR), a small molten salt reactor considered a next-generation small modular reactor (SMR). Photo by Saltforce

After experiencing the oil shock in the 1970s, Denmark, where "green transition" became a major topic, completely excluded nuclear power from its energy industry. Although it is the country of Niels Bohr, a pioneer in nuclear physics, universities and technology development companies researching nuclear power were not welcomed. However, as the war in Ukraine has dragged on, the situation has changed. The surge in prices of Russian gas has made it difficult to meet electricity demand with only renewable energy, leading to increased interest in nuclear power.

CEO Niengaard said, "Just two months ago, the Danish Prime Minister, who comes from a party that has traditionally opposed nuclear power, stated in parliament that 'Denmark should seriously consider the new forms of nuclear power that Danish companies are researching,'" adding, "There is a growing recognition that nuclear power will become an important part of the future energy mix, and that we must take responsibility for and manage this technology." He continued, "Without an efficient energy system, industry loses competitiveness and consumers' quality of life declines," emphasizing, "Like the financial system, the energy system is extremely important."

CEO Niengaard announced plans to increase the hiring of Korean engineers starting at the end of this year. Currently, three Koreans are working at the Copenhagen headquarters. He said, "More than half of our engineers are from overseas," and emphasized, "We have a particularly close relationship with Korea." He added, "We have many joint projects with Korean universities. Next year, we plan to hire more Korean talent at both the Copenhagen headquarters and the Korean branch."

Klaus Niengaard, CEO of Saltforce Energy, poses at the headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, on the 16th (local time). CEO Niengaard said, "The best logic and ideas win in meetings," adding, "Rank does not matter." Photo by Lee Hyunju

CEO Niengaard highly praised the level of Korean nuclear engineering talent. He stated, "Korea is a free nation that did not stop nuclear power development even after the Fukushima nuclear accident," and emphasized, "It is a country with the most up-to-date experience across technology, education, and the parts supply chain." He continued, "Korea's shipbuilding industry is also extremely strong, which is a key reason we must cooperate with Korean companies to build nuclear power plants that float at sea."

The Saltforce Korea branch is located in Geoje, Gyeongnam, where many heavy industry companies are based. In October last year, Saltforce signed a business agreement with Gyeongnam Province for CMSR design and manufacturing. That afternoon, Gyeongnam Governor Park Wansoo visited Saltforce's headquarters and proposed strengthening technological cooperation with nuclear manufacturing companies in Gyeongnam. At the meeting, Governor Park stated, "If Saltforce establishes an engineering or R&D center in Gyeongnam, the province will actively support it." Saltforce responded, "We will consider it positively."

Meanwhile, before the interview, CEO Niengaard was working at a desk where regular employees also sit, rather than in a private office. Having served as CEO at several companies, he said, "I have never had my own private office."

Niengard CEO (left) and Shinyoung Kang, head of the Korea branch, are taking a commemorative photo in front of the molten salt loop model for salt, created by Salt Force Energy in its early establishment (manufactured in 2015). Photo by Hyunju Lee

He explained, "Denmark is the country with the narrowest gap between hierarchies in the world," and added, "While I am the person with ultimate responsibility and the one who makes final decisions, my relationships with colleagues are horizontal and close." He continued, "Even junior staff can express their complaints to the CEO. While this can be difficult for managers, it ultimately creates a creative and healthy structure."

He said, "Members of the organization should be able to share even bad news without hesitation. In organizations with strict hierarchies, people tend to hide bad news, but we choose to put all information on the table." He added, "Even if someone has a lower rank, if they make a more logical argument, their idea should be adopted. The CEO must take responsibility but also be able to listen to diverse opinions."