Enhanced Safety and Flexibility Compared to Large Nuclear Plants
Nuclear Safety and Security Commission to Hold Review Preparation Workshop on March 4
Targeting Standard Design Approval by 2028
i-SMR Design Features. Innovative Small Modular Reactor (i-SMR) Technology Development Project Group
The Innovative Small Modular Reactor (i-SMR) Technology Development Project Group announced on February 27 that it had officially applied for standard design approval of the i-SMR, which is being developed with purely domestic technology, to the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission. If the i-SMR obtains standard design approval from the Commission, it will lay the foundation for entering the global stage in the next-generation nuclear power plant market, specifically in the SMR sector.
The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment have been working to secure an early foothold in the SMR market, which is being recognized as a game changer in the future energy sector, by launching a research and development (R&D) project with a budget of 399.2 billion won since 2023. The i-SMR Technology Development Project Group, consisting of more than 40 industry, academic, and research organizations, has developed a standard design that significantly incorporates innovative technology while improving safety, economics, and flexibility.
The i-SMR, for which standard design approval has now been requested, is designed for a capacity of 170 megawatts electric (MWe), a unit of electric output, and is evaluated to offer enhanced safety and flexibility compared to conventional large-scale nuclear power plants. The i-SMR has been pursued with the goal of achieving competitiveness in the global SMR market, which is expected to grow explosively after the 2030s.
The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission will begin a full-scale review process starting with the "i-SMR Standard Design Approval Review Preparation Workshop" scheduled for March 4. During the workshop, participants will review and discuss the current state of preparations and the future schedule.
After reviewing the documentation for compliance, the Commission plans to conduct a technical review through the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS). The project group aims to complete the standard design approval process by the end of 2028. A representative of the project group stated, "We plan to actively cooperate with the Commission's licensing review to ensure the procedures proceed smoothly."
Standard design approval is a system that simplifies the licensing process when constructing multiple reactors of the same design. Obtaining this approval would enable the i-SMR to be commercialized or exported more rapidly.
A representative of the project group explained, "If we acquire standard design approval, it will mean our safety has been verified, and we will qualify to enter international markets." To date, except for China and Russia, NuScale in the United States is the only SMR to have received official design approval from a government agency.
In Korea, the 11th Basic Plan for Long-term Electricity Supply and Demand (2024-2038) includes the installation of one SMR. Following the standard design approval by the Commission, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power plans to select a site and obtain a separate construction license to build the first unit.
The first domestic SMR unit will be designed to connect four 170 MWe SMR modules, resulting in a total capacity of 680 MWe. It is expected to be completed and begin producing electricity around 2035.
In January, North Gyeongsang Province launched an SMR Attraction Support Task Force (TF) team, accelerating efforts to host the first SMR unit. The nuclear industry expects that gaining experience through the construction of the first unit will shorten the construction periods for the second and third units.
Kim Hangon, head of the project group, stated, "This application for standard design approval will serve as a significant milestone that propels our technology onto the world stage," adding, "Through thorough verification and cooperation in the review process, we will lead the SMR export market in the 2030s."
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