GS E&C Moves to Strengthen SMRs, the "Core of the AI Era"...Experienced Hires for Newly Established Nuclear Power Business Unit

Responding to nuclear market restructuring... Nuclear Power Business Unit launched this year
"Expanding our business base from large-scale nuclear power plants to SMRs as well"

GS Engineering & Construction is moving to strengthen its small modular reactor (SMR) business through experienced-hire recruitment.

According to related industry sources on the 26th, GS Engineering & Construction accepted applications for experienced full-time positions in its Plant Business Division until the 24th. The recruitment areas included SMR business development. The successful candidates will carry out domestic project feasibility studies, cooperation with overseas SMR developers, and business development in advanced nuclear technology fields.

GS Engineering & Construction previously established a dedicated Nuclear Power Business Unit. Until now, the company has participated in the construction of Shin-Wolsong Nuclear Power Plants Units 1 and 2 and Shin-Hanul Nuclear Power Plants Units 1 and 2 through the Nuclear Power Business Team within its Plant Business Division. However, it has been viewed as having relatively limited momentum in SMRs, which have drawn growing attention due to advances in AI. In response, the company created a new organization to cope with the reorganization of the global nuclear power market and to respond to large-scale nuclear power plant and SMR projects at home and abroad.

A GS Engineering & Construction official said, "Recently, we have been expanding our business base by seeking various strategic collaborations not only in large-scale nuclear power plants but also in the SMR sector," adding, "Going forward, we plan to expand our business scope into next-generation nuclear power markets in Korea and overseas by strengthening strategic cooperation with domestic innovative small modular reactors (i-SMR) and overseas SMR developers."

As GS Engineering & Construction begins to take serious interest in SMR construction, market competition is expected to intensify. The SMR market is projected to grow to about 600 trillion won, and major Tier-1 construction companies such as Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Samsung C&T, and Daewoo Engineering & Construction are already locked in fierce competition. Hyundai Engineering & Construction is classified as a nuclear power stock, and Daewoo Engineering & Construction is building a cooperative framework with Korea Plant Service & Engineering (KEPCO KPS) in the SMR sector. Samsung C&T has announced that this year it will nurture SMRs and other next-generation energy businesses, as well as AI-related high value-added new businesses.