US TerraPower, South Korea's SK Innovation sign preliminary deal on global SMR projects

SEOUL, Aug 14 : TerraPower and South Korea's SK Innovation signed on Friday a preliminary global agreement on small modular reactors (SMRs), Seoul's Industry Ministry said, opening a path for the SK Group affiliate to participate in the U.S. company's projects at home and abroad. The agreement was signed at a meeting in Seoul between TerraPower co-founder Bill Gates, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, the ministry said. The deal gives SK Innovation, the parent of South Korea's largest oil refiner, an opportunity to take part in development of TerraPower's SMR projects in the United States and overseas, the ministry said. It did not disclose financial terms or the scope of any investment. TerraPower, backed by Gates, is developing its sodium-cooled Natrium r