France’s Orano NPS, a subsidiary of Orano, said on 23 May that it had recently signed a cooperation agreement with South Korea’s Kepco E&C and SeAH Besteel for the development of dry storage solutions for used nuclear fuel. This partnership will offer optimised proposals for future dry storage projects with South Korean electric utilities, including the experience gained by Orano NPS through its customer service in used fuel management. Specifically, its US subsidiary, TN Americas, has many decades of experience serving the American nuclear energy market with the NUHOMS dry fuel storage solution.
Under the terms of the agreement, the three companies will expand their cooperation by leveraging their mutual expertise. Orano NPS will provide its technological know-how in the design and licensing of dry storage systems. Kepco E&C will support the engineering effort and licensing process locally in South Korea. SeAH Besteel will act as the systems manufacturer. Amir Vexler, CEO, Orano USA noted: “This alliance enables us to offer our customers a strengthened and localised commercial solution presenting attractive development prospects in the region.”
