From business to education, the UAE and South Korea are working together on peaceful nuclear energy through cooperation and inter-dependence. Twice this year, the nations reaffirmed their commitment to each other in this field.
In February, when General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, visited South Korea, he said the two countries were keen to strengthen ties in the light of joint strategic interests such as nuclear energy. At the time, President Park Geun-hye emphasised that ties between the two countries have grown steadily since a South Korean company constructed a bridge in Abu Dhabi in 1975. “I consider the UAE an important partner. I will give much attention to support joint projects, among other peaceful nuclear projects,” she stated.
In Abu Dhabi this May, President Park marked the arrival of the UAE’s first nuclear energy reactor vessel (RV) in Barakah, in the emirate’s western region. Speaking at the ceremony, Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, described the arrival of the RV as an achievement that bears testimony to the cooperation between the UAE and South Korea. “Peaceful nuclear energy plays a significant role, as this plant will provide us with electricity that we need to fulfil our needs. In addition, the programme will provide many important opportunities for our national human resources,” he said.
Target 2017
The Emirati-Korean partnership dates back to 2009, when The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) awarded the prime contract to build the UAE’s nuclear energy plants to a consortium led by the Korean Electric Power Company. Together, the companies have made significant progress on the construction of the plants, with works for Units 1 and 2 now more than 44 per cent complete, and construction progressing safely on schedule. Last week, Abu Dhabi was also issued licences for two more reactors at Barakah. While Unit 1 is scheduled to enter commercial operations in 2017, and Unit 2 in 2018, all four plants will be operational by 2020, when nuclear energy will deliver up to a quarter of the UAE’s electricity needs, saving up to 12 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year.
During President Park’s visit, the UAE and South Korea also signed three strategic memoranda of understanding on nuclear energy cooperation, to develop a direct employment programme in nuclear energy for Korean graduates, to create internship programmes and job opportunities, and to develop a local plant services industry in the UAE.
Study programmes
Meanwhile, several Emiratis are studying at South Korean universities and technical institutes as part of Enec’s training and development programme, which was established in 2009.
As part of the programme Enec has sent more than 300 Emirati engineers for on-the-job training in South Korea, and 115 students to study for higher diplomas in nuclear technology. Another group of students has just completed training, while 100 engineers are enrolled in the Reference Power Plant programme in South Korea.
Speaking to some of these students in Seoul, General Shaikh Mohammad said: “We are proud to see you in Korea, gaining knowledge and training in prominent educational institutes for the transfer of rich expertise in advanced industries and technological programmes to your homeland, so as to contribute to nation-building and progress.”
