On 1 March 2026, the Energy Market Authority of Singapore (“EMA“) and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co Ltd (“KHNP“) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU“) on civil nuclear energy capability building, focusing on Small Modular Reactors (“SMRs“). KHNP, the largest electric power company in Korea, is a government-owned enterprise under the Korea Electric Power Corporation.
This MOU is the first MOU on civil nuclear energy cooperation between a Korean nuclear power company and a Singapore government agency and formalises the civil nuclear energy cooperation between EMA and KHNP.
The MOU establishes a framework for collaboration. Key areas of cooperation include:
- conducting joint studies for potential use of SMRs in Singapore;
- collaboration in human resource development and training; and
- sharing of technical information and best practices in advanced nuclear technologies.
The MOU forms part of EMA’s efforts to study the various options to decarbonise Singapore’s power systems and ensure reliable, secure and sustainable energy supply. Puah Kok Keong, Chief Executive, EMA, said, “Advanced nuclear energy technologies hold promise as a potential clean energy source“.
In March 2026, it was separately reported that South Korea’s Nuclear Safety and Security Commission has received an application for standard design approval for the Innovative Small Modular Reactor being developed by a consortium which includes KHNP. This SMR is being developed with the goal of completing the standard design by the end of 2025 and obtaining standard design approval in 2028. According to KHNP, this type of SMR requires one-third of the investment and can be constructed in half the time compared with large reactors.
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