Hyundai Engineering & Construction is stepping deeper into Europe’s nuclear power market by taking part in the front-end engineering design phase of a planned nuclear project in the Netherlands.
Hyundai E&C said Thursday that it has signed a contract with Westinghouse to participate in the first phase of the front-end engineering design, or FEED 1, for the Dutch government’s planned construction of two large-scale nuclear reactors.
The project is being developed under the Netherlands’ renewed push to expand nuclear power. Hyundai E&C will work alongside Westinghouse on the proposed deployment of two AP1000 reactors, focusing on the early engineering and project planning needed to move the development toward the construction stage.
Rather than limiting its role to construction, Hyundai E&C will be involved from the early stages of the project. Its responsibilities include assessing potential sites, developing an overall master plan and establishing a strategy for project execution.
The two companies will also examine Dutch regulatory requirements, licensing procedures and technical standards that could affect the design and construction of the reactors. Risk management measures and localization strategies will also be considered as part of the FEED work.
The early involvement is strategically important as the Netherlands evaluates potential sites and prepares the framework for its new nuclear program. Westinghouse has emerged as one of the technology candidates for the project, and the FEED phase is expected to help translate the proposed AP1000 design into a project plan suited to local site and regulatory conditions.
Hyundai E&C has also been working to establish a local industrial network ahead of the project. In June, the company and Westinghouse jointly hosted a supplier symposium in the Netherlands, bringing together government representatives, industry stakeholders and local companies to discuss potential cooperation and the development of a local supply chain.
The company sees the Dutch project as part of a broader push to expand its nuclear business across Europe. Hyundai E&C has been strengthening its presence in the region through various nuclear-related initiatives, including projects and preliminary studies connected to markets such as Bulgaria, Slovenia and Finland.
The FEED contract could give Hyundai E&C an opportunity to build an early understanding of local regulations, site conditions and construction requirements, potentially strengthening its position for subsequent stages of the Dutch nuclear program.
The company is also expanding its capabilities beyond conventional nuclear plant construction. Its nuclear strategy covers the wider lifecycle of nuclear facilities, including decommissioning and spent-fuel management.
A Hyundai E&C official said the company plans to leverage its experience in nuclear engineering and construction to support the successful development of the Dutch project while continuing to pursue new opportunities across Europe’s expanding nuclear market.
