Korea, UAE in talks on additional reactors in Barakah

The South Korean-built nuclear reactors in Barakah, UAE. [Photo by Yonhap]

South Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have launched talks on the construction of additional reactors in Barakah, 14 years after Korea won the order to build four Advanced Power Reactor 1400 MW electricity (APR 1400) reactors in 2009.

According to the government and nuclear industry sources on Sunday, Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO), Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, the ordering body, held a virtual meeting to discuss a partnership on the construction of the fifth and sixth units at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant.

Multiple sources familiar with the project said soil preparation work has been partially completed at the construction site. Both sides are expected to settle the details following further negotiations.

The project of building two additional units is estimated at 20 trillion won ($15.3 billion). Both Korea and UAE have demonstrated a strong desire for the project, sources said.

In a summit in January with the UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol agreed on a joint construction project of nuclear reactors for the UAE or other countries.

Industry experts express optimism about the opportunity of Korea winning the project as the UAE is highly likely to choose Seoul as a partner given the reliability evident in previous joint projects.

“Korea will be able to get the upper hand in the global rally if it succeeds in winning the order for additional units,” said Jerng Dong-wook, a professor at the Energy Systems Engineering School of Chung-Ang University.

Korea won orders to construct four units in Barakah in December 2009. Three reactors have begun commercial operations from 2021 and the fourth reactor is expected to launch work next year.

The Yoon administration has spared no effort to stimulate exports of nuclear reactors by sending dedicated personnel to potential importers of nuclear power plants.

The government has also made investments in the nuclear power plant equipment market, a sector regarded as a blue ocean with growing demand worldwide. Korea aims to export nuclear reactor equipment worth 5 trillion won by 2027.