Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and Korea Electric Power Cooperation (KEPCO) have signed a memorandum of understanding to bolster research and investment opportunities in nuclear energy in emerging countries. Both parties will explore co-investing in the establishment of nuclear energy plants globally and seek to address the role nuclear energy plays in addressing climate change and achieving Net Zero targets.
The agreement is intended to build on ENEC’s and KEPCO’s expertise in various fields, including the efficient, safety and quality-led development and implementation of nuclear energy plants, and the significant transmission and distribution infrastructure required to integrate into national grids.
Originally established in 1898, KEPCO is the largest electric power company in the Republic of Korea providing the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity across the country, with more than 40 years of experience in the nuclear energy industry.
ENEC is playing a major role in accelerating the clean energy transition through decarbonising the UAE’s energy and intensive energy and hard–to–abate industries through the Barakah plant, the Arab world’s first multi-unit operational nuclear energy plant. The plant, with full-fleet commercial operations forecast to commence later in 2024, will generate 40 TWh of electricity per year while preventing the release of 22.4 million tons of carbon emissions. The plant is the flagship project of the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Programme, with ENEC now focused on exploring opportunities in the UAE and overseas in large-scale plants, SMRs and advanced reactors, related clean technologies such as hydrogen generation and R&D.
