- Korea-Singapore sign SMR cooperation pact
- Singapore studies nuclear for energy mix
- FTA upgrade talks launched alongside deal
South Korea and Singapore have formalised cooperation on small modular reactors (SMRs), signing a strategic agreement as the city-state explores advanced nuclear options to support its long-term energy transition.
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was recently exchanged between Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) and Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA). According to South Korea’s industry ministry, it marks the first nuclear energy-related MOU between a South Korean nuclear operator and a Singapore government agency.
Under the agreement, KHNP and EMA will jointly study the feasibility of deploying SMRs in Singapore, exchange technical expertise and regulatory best practices, and collaborate on training nuclear professionals. KHNP will also participate in EMA-led assessments of suitable SMR designs.
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“For a small country with very limited domestic energy resources, it is critical that we explore all pathways that can strengthen our energy resilience in a low-carbon world. Advanced nuclear energy technologies hold promise as a potential clean energy source,” said EMA Chief Executive Puah Kok Keong in a statement.
“Our partnership with KHNP will deepen our capabilities and technical understanding of SMRs, and enable us to assess the suitability of nuclear energy carefully and rigorously.”
SMRs are designed to generate up to 300 megawatts of electricity per unit and feature modular construction and enhanced passive safety systems. Their smaller footprint makes them potentially suitable for countries with land constraints and smaller power grids.
Singapore currently relies heavily on imported natural gas and faces rising electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence infrastructure and data centres. The government has identified solar, regional power imports, low-carbon hydrogen and advanced nuclear technologies as potential components of its future energy mix.
Authorities have allocated approximately KRW5 trillion (US$3.8 billion) under a future energy policy fund to support SMR-related research, regulatory development and capability building.
Separately, the two countries signed a joint declaration to launch negotiations to upgrade their bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), which marks its 20th anniversary this year.
The upgraded agreement will focus on modernising trade rules in areas such as supply chains and the green economy, applying a modular approach to new trade disciplines. The two sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation in biopharmaceutical supply chains and decarbonisation initiatives to support South Korean companies’ expansion into Southeast Asia.