AI Utilization in Nuclear Power Generation and Next-Generation Technology Exchange and Workforce Development, “Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) has strengthened its partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where it succeeded in its first nuclear power plant export project, to jointly enter the global nuclear market and cooperate in future new industries,”
On the 20th, according to KEPCO, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony was held at the UAE Presidential Palace on the 18th, in the presence of the presidents of both countries, making use of President Jae-Myung Lee’s state visit to the UAE. The MOU involves collaboration between KEPCO and the UAE’s Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) on nuclear new technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and global market cooperation. Under this partnership, KEPCO and ENEC will work together on the joint evaluation of small modular reactors (SMR), information exchange on next-generation nuclear technologies, workforce development, and joint research to enhance cooperation in future new businesses. They aim to increase mutual benefits by jointly entering the global nuclear market. Previously, in 2009, KEPCO secured the UAE Barakah nuclear power plant project, Korea’s first nuclear power export project, successfully constructing four Korean-type reactors (APR1400), all of which have started operations.
Also, on the 19th, KEPCO President Kim Dong-chul had a separate meeting with ENEC President Mohamed Al Hammadi to exchange views on detailed cooperation plans for joint entry into the global nuclear market. President Kim stated, “The successful business results built on the foundation of cooperation and trust between the two companies will provide a significant momentum for future cooperation.”
Meanwhile, Minister Kim Jeong-gwan of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy also met with Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), to discuss implementation plans for key agenda items from the Korea-UAE summit, including joint entry into third-party countries in the nuclear and resource sectors and cooperation in establishing AI data centers. Minister Kim specifically requested the expansion of project participation opportunities for many Korean companies competitive in semiconductor manufacturing, cooling, and air conditioning in the UAE’s next-generation massive AI data center construction project ‘Stargate UAE’.