DL E&C, Saudi SWCC team up for carbon neutrality

South Korea's DL E&C Co. announced on Monday it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the application of small modular reactors (SMRs) in desalination plants with Saudi Arabia's Saline Water Conversion Corp. (SWCC) at the Fairmont Riyadh in Saudi Arabia on the previous day.

SWCC, a Saudi government agency and the second-largest power generator in the country, currently operates the world's largest seawater desalination facility. Through its affiliated research institute, SWCC leads carbon reduction projects in seawater desalination and power generation using renewable energy.

The latest collaboration occurred as DL E&C was selected to visit Saudi Arabia through the 2023 Middle East Economic Mission Program, an initiative aimed at enhancing private sector cooperation with Middle Eastern countries, organized by the Federation of Korean Industries, Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), among others.

DL E&C and SWCC have agreed to explore the best solutions for utilizing SMR in desalination plants. Additionally, they have decided to collaborate on research into a clean hydrogen and ammonia production model using SMR to create added value.

DL E&C is nurturing SMR, which is considered a key environmentally friendly energy source of the future. The company has also strategically invested in X-Energy, LLC, a leading US company in developing fourth-generation SMR.

Write to In-Hyeok Lee at twopeople@hankyung.com