Submitted by EnergyTechStocks.com

Despite all the media attention being given to U.S. presidential candidate John McCain’s plan to build 100 nuclear power plants, investors should stay focused on the international market. That’s where they will find two South Korean companies they should keep their eyes on, according to commercial nuclear power financial analyst Bruce Lacy.

The two firms are Doosan Heavy Industry & Construction Co. and Korea Electric Power. Both trade in Korea. Korea Electric also trades ADRS on the New York Stock Exchange.

According to Lacy, head of his own Iowa-based consulting group, Korea has 20 operating nuclear plants providing 40% of the country’s electricity. Korean companies are “actively looking at export markets and foreign opportunities,” he says.

In the case of both Doosan and Korea Electric, nuclear power is but one of several operating units. Doosan generally is engaged in supplying heavy industrial facilities. Its power unit provides key systems for a nuclear facility, including reactor vessels and steam generators. Korea Electric is engaged in power transmission and distribution at home and in power generation in foreign markets. The company reportedly operates 19 nuclear units with a combined output of 16,715 megawatts (MW).

“Not only is the U.S. market not the only market, it may not even be the most important market,” Lacy emphasized in an interview. “Remember, this is a global business and not all the players have stepped up yet. Along with the French, Japanese and U.S. firms, keep your eyes on the Koreans and Russians,” he said, adding that foreign investment in Russian nuclear power, which is controlled by Rosatom, a state corporation, is “very limited.”

Lacy recently issued “report card” grades for leading French, Japanese and U.S. nuclear firms. To find out what grades companies like Areva and Mitsubishi received, see:
Report Card Grades for 6 Big Nuclear Reactor Makers (Part 1 of 2) – GE/Hitachi, Areva & Toshiba/Westinghouse

Report Card Grades for 6 Big Nuclear Reactor Makers (Part 2 of 2) – Mitsubishi, Pebble Bed & Atomic Energy Canada