South Korean construction giant Hyundai Engineering & Construction (Hyundai E&C) is cementing its role in Northern Europe’s shift toward carbon-free power. Alongside American partner Westinghouse, the firm recently concluded a two-day symposium in Finland to outline a major expansion of nuclear infrastructure across the Nordic region.

The “Finland-Sweden New Nuclear Power Plant Construction Symposium” took place on 10 and 11 March at the Business Finland headquarters. The event drew roughly 100 attendees, including CEO Lee Han-woo and Westinghouse Senior Vice President Joel Eacker. High-ranking diplomats from South Korea, the US and Finland also attended to discuss the roll-out of the AP1000® reactor technology.

This collaboration follows a string of European successes for the duo. After securing a design contract for the Kozloduy plant in Bulgaria, the partners began a feasibility study in Slovenia and signed an Early Works Agreement with Finnish state energy firm Fortum.

In his opening remarks, Lee Han-woo, CEO of Hyundai Engineering & Construction, said, “Hyundai Engineering & Construction’s experience in nuclear power plant construction and EPC capabilities accumulated around the world, along with Westinghouse’s global nuclear power technology, will greatly contribute to the energy transition and stable power supply in Nordic countries.” He also expressed his aspirations, saying, “I hope that this symposium will become the starting point for long-term cooperation that will create real value for the industries and local communities of Nordic countries, including Finland and Sweden.”

Beyond large-scale plants, Hyundai E&C is moving into the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) sector. On 11 March, executives met with Swedish government officials in Stockholm to discuss a partnership with Holtec International. The goal is to deploy Sweden’s first SMR to meet rising industrial electricity demands.

The expansion also reached the Netherlands. On 9 March, Hyundai E&C signed a deal with Dutch firm Thorizon to develop Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology. Their “Thorizon One” reactor uses liquid fuel to improve safety and recycle nuclear waste. The project has already secured €10 million in French government funding and is a recognized EU SMR Industry Alliance priority.

A Hyundai Engineering & Construction official said, “Recently, Nordic countries, including Finland and Sweden, have shown interest in nuclear power by shifting their policies from ‘100% renewable energy use to 100% fossil fuel-free energy use’ to respond to rapidly increasing electricity demand and achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions.” They added, “Hyundai Engineering & Construction will actively lead the global nuclear power supercycle by expanding the construction of large-scale nuclear power plants in Northern Europe based on close cooperation with Westinghouse, while diversifying local cooperation to advance into the Northern European SMR business.”