The South Korean government is engaging with officials from Turkey and Saudi Arabia this week as part of its strategy to boost nuclear exports in a competitive energy landscape.
Deputy Minister for Energy Policy Lee Ho-hyeon is set to visit both countries from Monday to Thursday. His first stop will be in Turkey, where he will meet with Deputy Ministers of Energy and Natural Resources, Zafer Demircan and Ahmet Berat Conkar. This marks the first high-level dialogue on nuclear cooperation between the two nations in 13 years, aimed at exploring potential partnerships on various energy matters.
Turkey is actively working on new nuclear plants in its Black Sea region, particularly in Sinop and Thrace. Last year, Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) proposed the construction of the Sinop facility, which will add 4.8 gigawatts to the national energy grid. Turkey is in discussions with Korea, Russia, and other international stakeholders, including China’s State Power Investment Corporation, on the Sinop and Thrace projects. Turkey’s long-term goal is to achieve 20 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2050. Meanwhile, Russia’s state-owned Rosatom is constructing Turkey’s first nuclear power plant, Akkuyu, with four reactors, each with a 1,200-megawatt capacity.
In Saudi Arabia, Lee will meet Nasser Bin Hadi Alqahtani, the Assistant Minister of Energy for Electricity Affairs, on Wednesday to explore possible collaborations on large-scale nuclear projects, electric grid expansion, and clean hydrogen initiatives. This partnership aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to diversify its energy sources and transition to a more sustainable energy system.
“We will continue to analyze global energy policies related to sustainable development and climate change, while strengthening our energy cooperation with Europe and the Middle East to create new opportunities for Korean companies,” Lee stated.