South Korea’s KEPCO, UAE’s ENEC ink deal to deepen nuclear AI ties, eye global expansion

Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and the Emirates
Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) signed a memorandum of understanding
(MoU) on November 18 to broaden collaboration across advanced
nuclear technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital
transformation, while exploring civil nuclear projects in
third‑country markets, World Nuclear News reported.

The MoU positions both companies as co‑developers of a modern,
exportable civil‑nuclear platform. Building on the success of the
four APR‑1400 reactors at the Barakah plant, the deal leverages
digital innovation to enhance operational safety and efficiency and
aims to replicate the Barakah model in international markets.

ENEC CEO Mohamed Al Hammadi and KEPCO President and CEO
Dong‑Cheol Kim signed the agreement during a UAE–Korea presidential
summit.

Under the agreement, KEPCO and ENEC will jointly assess small
modular reactors (SMRs), advance reactor designs, develop
fuel‑cycle technologies, and cooperate on radioactive waste
management and nuclear safety research.

A joint ENEC–KEPCO AI Innovation Laboratory will focus on
predictive maintenance, plant optimisation, digital twins and
machine‑learning systems to improve efficiency and operational
reliability.

A parallel MoU between ENEC Consulting, led by Mohamed Al
Braiki, and KEPCO Knowledge Data Network (KDN), headed by
Sang‑Hyung Park, targets digital transformation across nuclear
operations in the UAE and wider Gulf region.

The two sides will localise AI, cybersecurity and data analytics
solutions, explore a regional joint venture, and roll out AI‑driven
digital projects across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) energy
operators.

KEPCO said the MoU opens “new business opportunities” for the
nuclear industries of both countries and enhances their
competitiveness in the global nuclear market.

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