Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) and the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (VinAtom) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Hanoi, Vietnam, on June 22.
The purpose of the MoU is to foster collaboration between the two organizations in the nuclear and small modular reactor (SMR) fields.
Under the MoU, KHNP and VinAtom have agreed to cooperate closely in several areas, including nuclear reactor design, technology, safety, utilization of next-generation nuclear reactors for achieving net zero emissions, SMR licensing and legal regulatory systems, and human resources training.
This agreement presents an opportunity to revive technology and human resource exchanges in the nuclear sector between South Korea and Vietnam, which had diminished after the Vietnamese government unexpectedly announced the cancellation of a nuclear power plant project in 2016.
The collaboration is expected to contribute to the mutual development of both countries through technological advancements for peaceful nuclear energy applications and cooperation in various fields.
On the same day, the two companies organized a technology exchange meeting to share research and development-related information. During the meeting, KHNP provided updates on its i-SMR development status and plans, aiming to enhance mutual understanding and collaboration.
"Through this agreement and the technology exchange meeting, we will initiate various collaborations in the nuclear energy field, including SMRs," said KHNP CEO Hwang Joo-ho. "By leveraging the strengths of both institutions, we hope to establish new goals and visions for achieving net zero emissions in our respective countries."
Meanwhile, KHNP, in collaboration with the Seoul National University Global Volunteer Group, has been dispatching volunteer teams to Binh Dinh Province in central Vietnam twice a year since 2013. These volunteers provide technical assistance, educational support, and cultural exchange activities, aiming to address issues of underdevelopment and poverty in the region.
Vietnam is experiencing rapid economic growth; however, the country faces challenges in meeting its power supply demands. In pursuit of its goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the Vietnamese government is expected to actively consider the construction of nuclear power plants as part of its energy mix.
