사진 확대

Korea's innovative small module reactor (i-SMR) and Korean small reactor "SMART100" ranked high in the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) evaluation under the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

According to Rep. Hwang Jung-ah (Yuseong-eul, Daejeon), a member of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting and Communication Committee on the 8th, i-SMR ranked 10th among 74 SMR types with 22 points, far exceeding the average score (17.38 points). The Smart 100 also ranked 13th with 19 points.

NEA evaluates SMR development progress based on six items: licensing, site, financing, supply chain, participation, and nuclear fuel. The survey included 74 models under development in 18 countries. In Korea, old models received high scores in most areas except for licensing and site items.

According to the report, the level of SMR development around the world has also risen. Compared to the 51 older models in the previous report, the average score increased by 1.94 points.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicted that more than 1,000 units will be built by 2050, based on each country's SMR introduction plans. The cumulative investment is expected to reach $670 billion (about 933 trillion won).

Experts believe that Korea will be able to enter the rapidly expanding global SMR market based on its experience in exporting nuclear power plants and technology.

President Lee Jae-myung also met with Bill Gates, chairman of the Gates Foundation, last month and emphasized, "Korea can become a strong player in the SMR field," adding, "Companies are already preparing a lot and are competitive in overseas markets."

Lawmaker Hwang said, "SMR is a key infrastructure that will handle the rapidly increasing demand for electricity in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) and is a next-generation technology to achieve carbon neutrality. We will systematically support technology development by quickly passing the SMR Special Act at the National Assembly."