UK, South Korea to extend nuclear cooperation

A memorandum of understanding on cooperation in nuclear energy was signed yesterday between the UK and South Korea. The agreement calls for greater collaboration in the construction of new nuclear power plants and the decommissioning of old ones.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in nuclear energy was signed yesterday between the UK and South Korea. The agreement calls for greater collaboration in the construction of new nuclear power plants and the decommissioning of old ones.

Clark (left) and Un-gyu sign the MoU (Image: Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy)

The MoU was signed in London by South Korean minister of trade, industry and energy, Paik Un-gyu, and UK secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy, Greg Clark. The signing followed discussions on the expansion of nuclear cooperation between the two countries, including the construction and dismantling of nuclear power plants.

Un-gyu noted that South Korea has over 40 years' of reactor operating experience, as well as experience in the development of nuclear technology.

In a statement, the Korean energy ministry said Clark vowed the UK government has a "clear commitment to support" foreign investment in UK nuclear new build projects.

State-run utility Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) has previously said it is considering taking a stake in NuGeneration, the Toshiba-led joint venture planning to construct the Moorside nuclear power plant in Cumbria, England. The plant was originally planned to feature Westinghouse AP1000 reactors, but with Korea's involvement there have been suggestions the reactor design could be changed to Kepco's APR1400.

Kepco nuclear operator subsidiary Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) confirmed in July it is in talks about "cooperation" with Horizon Nuclear Power, which is planning to build two large Advanced Boiling Water Reactors at Wylfa Newydd, in Wales. At that time, KHNP said Hitachi Japan had proposed cooperation with Horizon, its fully-owned UK project company, and that "KHNP is in the early stages of examining various aspects of cooperation from a practical point of view".

South Korea could benefit from the UK's experience in decommissioning nuclear power plants. Kori unit 1, which was permanently shut down in June, is the first South Korean reactor to enter decommissioning.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News