South Korea Strengthens Nuclear Exports Through Industry-Academia Partnership

Doosan Enerbility and the International Nuclear Non-proliferation Center join forces to boost exports and develop modular reactors, addressing growing energy demands.

Partagez:

South Korean engineering group Doosan Enerbility recently signed a strategic agreement with the International Nuclear Non-proliferation Center, affiliated with the KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS). The agreement aims to strengthen global nuclear non-proliferation efforts and accelerate the export of nuclear technologies.

The agreement, signed on December 26 during an official ceremony, brought together several high-level representatives, including Joo-ho Whang, President of the Educational Foundation at KINGS, and Jongdoo Kim, CEO of Doosan Enerbility’s Nuclear Business Group. This collaboration highlights a new dynamic between South Korea’s academic and industrial sectors.

A Strategic Focus on Nuclear Exports

The partners will focus on developing export policies and creating a favorable environment to enhance South Korea’s competitiveness in the global nuclear energy market. In close cooperation with the United States, they aim to strengthen nuclear security and consolidate the local supply chain.

A key aspect of this agreement is the development of small modular reactors (SMRs). These technologies, tailored to meet the growing energy demands driven by AI data centers, represent a strategic opportunity for South Korean exports.

Promoting a Non-Proliferation Culture

Beyond economic considerations, the agreement includes initiatives to promote peaceful applications of nuclear energy. This involves building a culture of non-proliferation as a central goal of the cooperation.

The International Nuclear Non-proliferation Center, established by KINGS in July 2024, plays a critical role in this partnership. It is currently collaborating with institutions such as the United States’ National Nuclear Security Administration and Sandia National Laboratories. These efforts cover areas ranging from large nuclear power plants to decommissioning technologies and spent fuel management.

Strong Government Support

This partnership aligns with the energy policies announced by the South Korean government. In July 2022, a roadmap was set to maintain nuclear energy’s share of the energy mix at a minimum of 30% by 2030, alongside the goal of exporting 10 nuclear power plants by the same year.

The following month, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, Doosan Enerbility, and other nuclear sector stakeholders. This commitment aims to revitalize the nuclear industry ecosystem by creating new jobs, developing joint technologies, and supporting carbon neutrality.

According to Jongdoo Kim, CEO of Doosan Enerbility’s Nuclear Business Group, this agreement represents a significant step toward strengthening South Korea’s competitiveness in the global market.

South Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission officially validates the decommissioning of reactor number one at the Kori plant, initiating an unprecedented project for the national industry scheduled to last until 2037.
Uranium producer enCore Energy surpasses three thousand pounds per day at its Alta Mesa ISR complex and sees three new Texas laws as a strong signal for faster nuclear production permits.
The International Atomic Energy Agency expresses concerns over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles following the abrupt suspension of inspections at key sites disrupted by recent attacks whose consequences remain uncertain.
NPCIL has announced an extension until September 30 for industrial proposals concerning Bharat Small Reactors (BSR), following increased interest from the Indian private sector.
A regional court has upheld the award of two new reactors in the Czech Republic to Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, dismissing Électricité de France’s challenge to the €16bn contract in a decisive step for the national energy programme.
Facing rising temperatures, EDF anticipates cuts in nuclear production starting early July, primarily due to thermal constraints on rivers used for cooling the power plants.
The preliminary agreement launches planning and site assessment for a tailored AP1000 reactor, following two years of feasibility study, and enlists Westinghouse and Hyundai to support Fortum’s regional nuclear expansion.
Donald Trump's unprecedented decision to dismiss Christopher Hanson, a member of the NRC, provokes outrage among former federal officials and raises concerns over the regulatory independence of the U.S. nuclear sector.
Uranium Energy Corp strengthens its position in Anfield Energy Inc., now holding approximately 32.4% of the company’s shares following an investment of CAD19.55mn ($14.82mn), significantly expanding its strategic influence in the uranium market.
New York State plans an advanced nuclear power plant with a 1-gigawatt capacity to meet long-term energy and economic goals, involving significant investment to enhance regional energy independence.
Niger announces its intention to nationalize SOMAÏR, a mining company jointly owned with Orano, provoking strong opposition from the French company and paving the way for further international legal tensions.
Russia strengthens its economic presence in Mali with new agreements, notably in nuclear energy and gold refining, consolidating strategic cooperation within a rapidly evolving geopolitical context.
The US government grants a fourth payment of $100.45 mn to Holtec International to restart the Palisades Nuclear Plant, pending regulatory approval, marking an unprecedented event in the United States.
EDF announces a major agreement with Apollo to raise up to £4.5 billion via bonds to finance the British nuclear project Hinkley Point C, whose costs continue to rise significantly.
The Élysée proposes Anne-Isabelle Étienvre, current Director of Fundamental Research at the CEA, as General Administrator to replace François Jacq, recently appointed President of CNES.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced his country's interest in small modular nuclear reactors to meet national energy challenges and decarbonize the maritime sector within the next fifteen years.
TerraPower, an American nuclear company, secures $650 million funding from investors, including NVIDIA, to develop its Natrium modular reactors in the United States and internationally.
EDF and the French state finalize a €70 billion financing plan for six EPR2 nuclear reactors, including a specific territorial coordination framework in Gravelines led by Michel Marbaix, awaiting European approval by 2026.
Maire S.p.A and Newcleo form strategic partnership to industrialise the development of 200 MW modular nuclear power plants, via a joint venture majority-owned by Nextchem.
A new European consortium launches the design of a small lead-cooled modular reactor, targeting global commercialisation by 2039, with a demonstration scheduled as early as 2035.