▲ Welcomes former Westinghouse Vice President Michael Coon to lead nuclear technology business development at its U.S. subsidiary

▲ Hyundai E&C, as an energy transition leader, pushes ahead with sustainable energy innovation centered on its nuclear power business

Hyundai E&C has brought in a key figure, widely regarded as a top expert in the nuclear power industry, to accelerate the expansion of its global nuclear power business, including in the North American region.

The company recently announced that it has recruited former Westinghouse Vice President Michael Coon.

Michael Coon will be responsible for business development, securing orders, and advising on local project management and licensing for Hyundai E&C's large-scale nuclear power plant and Small Modular Reactor (SMR) projects in the global market. At the same time, he will be in charge of expanding the company’s engagement with the U.S. government, related agencies, and international partners.

In addition, he will augment the integrity of the company’s large-scale Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant expansion project in Bulgaria through technical advisory on its EPC contract, design, and construction, while also contributing to the formulation of strategies to secure new orders, primarily in North America and Europe. Leveraging his strategic ties with the U.S. government, industry, regulatory bodies, and research institutions, built over 34 years of experience in the nuclear power business, Coon is expected to further solidify Hyundai E&C's position in the global nuclear power market.

Michael Coon has held key positions at multiple firms in the global nuclear power sector, including Westinghouse Electric Company and ABB Combustion Engineering, where he directed all aspects of new nuclear power plant projects. Notably, as the overall project director for the UAE's Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, he successfully took charge of the entire process, from design and equipment procurement to project management and the establishment of the local subsidiary.

Having accumulated international experience in various countries, including Bulgaria, Finland, the United Arab Emirates, and China, he is also known for his in-depth understanding of the Republic of Korea's nuclear power industry from his experience overseeing the design, licensing, equipment procurement, and construction support for projects such as Hanbit Units 3 through 6, Hanul Units 3 & 4, and Saeul Units 1 & 2.

Based on his experience leading the latest technological trends in the nuclear power industry by participating in the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) advanced reactor design certification projects, and his track record of winning orders and signing contracts for new nuclear power plant projects in the European market, Coon is expected to play a key role in securing Hyundai E&C's competitive advantage in the nuclear power sector.

With the strengthening of energy security and the reinforcement of supply chain stability being actively discussed as major global economic issues, and as the U.S. government announces plans to quadruple its nuclear power generation capacity by 2050 and enter into a strategic partnership with Westinghouse, Hyundai E&C's nuclear power business is also expected to garner significant momentum.

Hyundai E&C has been highlighting the tangible fruits of U.S.-Korea nuclear power cooperation. It recently signed a basic design contract with the U.S. energy developer Fermi America for four large-scale nuclear power plant reactors within the world's largest advanced energy and artificial intelligence campus. It also signed a design contract for the large-scale Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant expansion project in Bulgaria with U.S. nuclear industry leaders Westinghouse and Holtec and has commenced construction of the SMR-300 at the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant site in Michigan. Additionally, the company is pushing ahead full-scale with the promotion of its nuclear power plant construction technology around the globe, having signed a series of partnerships with leading local construction and energy development firms, including U.S. companies ranked at the top of their fields by the premier trade publication Engineering News-Record (ENR), as well as with key institutions in nuclear power plant construction and operation, such as the UAE's Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC). 

A Hyundai E&C official noted, “Coon plans to concentrate his capabilities on expanding Hyundai E&C's nuclear power business by leveraging the knowledge, experience, and network he has accrued across all sectors of the nuclear industry.” The official added, “We expect that the fresh perspectives of a world-class expert and essential insights on new market entry and business development will become a key driving force for Hyundai E&C's to emerge as a game-changer in the global nuclear power market.”