US small-reactor push draws interest from Japan, South Korea

Hitachi joint venture could get slice of $900m in grants for new tech

20250522N NuScale nuclear power plant

A rendering of a nuclear power plant by NuScale Power. The U.S.-based company is working on a project in Romania. (NuScale Power)

YUJI OHIRA

HOUSTON, Texas -- The U.S. and Canada are moving to install next-generation nuclear reactors to meet demand from a growing number of energy-hungry data centers, attracting interest and investment from companies in Japan and South Korea.

Small modular reactors (SMRs) have an output of 300,000 kilowatts or less, compared with around 1 million kW for conventional models. Major components can be manufactured at factories and assembled on site, reducing the time and cost for construction.

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