Following the success of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, South Korea and the UAE are expanding their alliance through new MoUs, technology exchange, and ambitious energy and digital projects, aiming to lead in decarbonisation and global energy innovation.
South Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are really stepping up their collaboration in the fields of nuclear energy and cutting-edge technology, especially following the success of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant project. Interestingly enough, this renewed partnership was highlighted during South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s official visit to the UAE, and it looks like they’re planning to deepen their strategic relationship and expand their joint ventures into emerging markets and innovative energy sectors.
At the core of this development is a newly signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC). This agreement sets up a framework for working together in advanced nuclear tech, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital transformation. The idea is to build on the “Barakah Model”, you know, the successful framework that delivered the UAE’s first nuclear reactors, and use it as a blueprint for international projects, including potential efforts in countries like Turkey and Vietnam.
Now, the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant itself was a big milestone, it first broke ground in 2009 after KEPCO secured the contract, and it marked South Korea’s debut in exporting its domestic nuclear technology commercially. The plant has four reactors; all are now up and running, with the last one starting commercial operation just last year. ENEC reports that once fully operational, Barakah can supply up to 25% of the UAE’s electricity needs and help cut carbon emissions by roughly 22.4 million tons annually. That’s a pretty impressive move toward the UAE’s sustainability goals, I’d say.
But this collaboration isn’t just about deploying more nuclear power. The new MoU also emphasizes developing human talent and fostering innovation. They’re planning to set up training programs for young engineers and data specialists, encourage research exchanges between universities and institutes, and even establish an AI Innovation Lab. This lab will focus on predictive maintenance, simulating operating environments, and digitalising data , all aiming to improve plant safety and boost operational flow.
And their cooperation goes beyond just nuclear energy. KEPCO is involved in other big UAE projects too, like the 1,600 MW Al Shuweihat S3 gas combined-cycle power plant, and a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea transmission project worth around 5.4 trillion won (~$4 billion). This HVDC project will transmit renewable and nuclear power to offshore oil facilities managed by ADNOC, which is crucial to the UAE’s plan to become carbon-neutral by 2050.
On top of that, KEPCO is also eyeing new contracts, including a 400 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) and a massive 3.3 GW Al Nuof combined-cycle power plant. That capacity is roughly equivalent to more than two large nuclear reactors, which really underscores how their energy cooperation is expanding, to include integrated energy systems and storage solutions, not just nuclear power.
The ties between UAE and South Korea are getting stronger, too, with ENEC signing strategic MoUs with local companies like Hyundai Engineering & Construction and Samsung C&T Corporation. These deals aim to explore international opportunities in nuclear tech, things like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), hydrogen production using nuclear power, and investments in emerging nuclear markets. Samsung C&T’s expertise in engineering and infrastructure really complements ENEC’s leadership in nuclear projects, working toward global deployment of clean, reliable electricity.
To top things off, the UAE government has even shown how important Barakah is by putting its image on the new 1,000-dirham banknote issued for the country’s 51st National Day. It’s quite symbolic, really, the plant’s image on a national currency, highlighting its role in shaping the UAE’s clean energy future and the strong partnership with Korea.
As the UAE pushes ahead with large-scale renewable energy projects and digital innovation strategies, South Korea’s role, especially through KEPCO and related firms, fits right into both countries’ ambitions to lead the way in decarbonization worldwide. The way they’re blending nuclear energy with AI-powered tech puts them at the forefront of modern energy solutions. And, of course, they’re also looking to export this expertise to other countries.
All in all, this partnership is a pretty good example of how international cooperation can work in climate tech and sustainable energy. It mixes infrastructure development, technological advancement, capacity building, and strategic investments, laying the groundwork for a resilient, low-carbon energy future for the UAE and beyond.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://mobile.newsis.com/view/NISX20251119_0003409498 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.enec.gov.ae/en/news/latest-news/enec-signs-strategic-memorandum-of-understanding-with-kepco-to-advance-nuclear-energy-and-artificial-intelligence/ – The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration in advanced nuclear technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital transformation. This agreement aims to support the civil nuclear fleets of both the UAE and South Korea and explore potential nuclear energy projects in third countries. The MoU builds upon the successful delivery of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, with KEPCO as the prime contractor, and focuses on areas such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), advanced reactor systems, fuel cycle innovation, radioactive waste management, and nuclear safety research. Additionally, the partnership includes AI-based predictive maintenance, plant optimisation tools, digital twins, and machine learning to improve safety and efficiency. A joint ENEC–KEPCO AI Innovation Lab will be established to support these initiatives. The MoU also seeks to identify cooperation opportunities for third-country clean energy projects, leveraging the successful Barakah model in other markets. The agreement was signed during the official UAE–Korean Presidential summit by H.E. Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director & Group Chief Executive Officer of ENEC, and Kim Dong Cheol, President & Chief Executive Officer of KEPCO.
- https://www.enec.gov.ae/news/latest-news/barakah-one-company-and-korea-electric-power-corporation-sign-mou/ – Barakah One Company (BOC), a subsidiary of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) to explore potential collaboration on new nuclear energy projects. The MoU aims to develop the ‘Barakah Model’ and seek opportunities in new nuclear energy markets, including areas such as investment and financing, licensing and safeguards, operations and maintenance, training, and exchange of scientific and technical expertise in the field of nuclear energy. The agreement was signed during the 24th edition of the World Energy Congress in Abu Dhabi by Mr. Nasser Al Nasseri, CEO of Barakah One Company, and Jong Kap Kim, CEO and President of KEPCO.
- https://www.enec.gov.ae/news/latest-news/enec-and-hyundai-eandc-sign-mou-to-advance-global-nuclear-energy-collaboration/ – The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and Hyundai Engineering & Construction (Hyundai E&C) have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Seoul, South Korea, to jointly explore international nuclear energy opportunities. This collaboration builds on the longstanding strategic partnership between the UAE and South Korea in the nuclear sector and supports both countries’ shared goals to advance peaceful nuclear energy. The MoU provides a comprehensive framework for knowledge sharing, collaborative evaluation of project participation, and assessment of strategic investment opportunities. It also includes the formation of a joint working group to identify areas of mutual interest and support the development of future nuclear energy initiatives.
- https://news.samsungcnt.com/en/features/engineering-construction/2025-08-samsung-ct-and-uaes-enec-partner-to-advance-global-nuclear-energy-projects/ – Samsung C&T Engineering & Construction (E&C) Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) to jointly pursue nuclear and hydrogen-related projects worldwide. The agreement combines both companies’ expertise in nuclear infrastructure to expand cooperation across large-scale reactors, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), and hydrogen development. The partnership aims to accelerate clean energy deployment through nuclear innovation and supports ENEC’s global strategy to share UAE nuclear expertise and scale civil nuclear deployment. The MoU outlines plans for joint development and investment in SMRs and explores opportunities to produce hydrogen using nuclear power in Korea and other global markets.
- https://www.enec.gov.ae/news/latest-news/enec-and-samsung-candt-sign-mou-to-advance-global-nuclear-energy-collaboration/ – The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and Samsung C&T Corporation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly evaluate and pursue opportunities in civil nuclear energy development and investment internationally. The agreement brings together ENEC’s global nuclear leadership and Samsung C&T’s deep engineering and infrastructure expertise to support the deployment of clean, dispatchable electricity worldwide. The MoU sets the stage for collaboration across several key areas, including potential investment in conventional nuclear projects such as new builds, restarts, and brownfield Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) activity in the United States; future deployment of Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technologies in the UAE, US, and internationally; evaluation of opportunities in nuclear-powered hydrogen production in South Korea and other markets; investment in US-based nuclear service and equipment companies; and the joint assessment of the development and financing of a nuclear power plant in Romania.
- https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/foreignaffairs/20220531/korea-uae-discuss-cooperation-on-nuclear-power-new-energy-resources – In March, the No. 2 Barakah reactor in Barakah, 270 kilometers west of Abu Dhabi, began commercial operations about a year after the operation of the first reactor. They are part of four nuclear reactors built in Barakah under a $20 billion contract won by a consortium led by Korea’s state-run utility firm Korea Electric Power in 2009. The project marked Korea’s first export of a domestically developed commercial nuclear power plant. Reactors three and four are in the final stages of commissioning, with the construction of number three completed last year and the fourth in its final stages. When the four reactors are in commercial operation, the Barakah plant will produce up to 25 percent of the UAE’s electricity needs and cut its carbon emissions by about 22.4 million tons annually, according to the ENEC. “The two sides also exchanged opinions on how to work more closely in various other energy sectors, such as hydrogen, based on their achievements through the Barakah project,” the ministry said in a release.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative is current, with the latest developments reported on November 19, 2025. The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on November 19, 2025, to advance cooperation in nuclear energy and artificial intelligence. ([enec.gov.ae](https://www.enec.gov.ae/en/news/latest-news/enec-signs-strategic-memorandum-of-understanding-with-kepco-to-advance-nuclear-energy-and-artificial-intelligence/?utm_source=openai)) This MoU builds upon the successful delivery of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, marking a significant milestone in UAE-South Korea relations. ([mofa.gov.ae](https://www.mofa.gov.ae/MediaHub/News/2025/11/18/18-11-2025-uae-korea?utm_source=openai)) The report also highlights the UAE’s issuance of a 1,000-dirham banknote featuring the Barakah plant, underscoring its importance in the nation’s clean energy future. ([khaleejtimes.com](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/south-korea-visit-cooperation?utm_source=openai)) These developments are recent and have not been widely covered in other outlets, indicating originality.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative does not contain any direct quotes, suggesting it is original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) is a reputable organization, and the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) is a well-established entity. The report is based on official statements and agreements from these organizations, lending credibility to the information presented.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative aligns with recent developments in UAE-South Korea relations, particularly in the fields of nuclear energy and artificial intelligence. The cooperation between ENEC and KEPCO is consistent with previous agreements and the strategic partnership between the two nations. The issuance of the 1,000-dirham banknote featuring the Barakah plant is a plausible and symbolic gesture reflecting the UAE’s commitment to clean energy. The report’s tone and language are consistent with official communications from both countries.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is current, original, and based on credible sources, with no significant issues identified. The cooperation between ENEC and KEPCO, as well as the UAE’s issuance of the commemorative banknote, are plausible and align with recent developments in UAE-South Korea relations.
