UAE Eyes Deeper Ties with South Korea in Nuclear Energy, AI, and Small Modular Reactors
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) wants to ramp up its partnership with South Korea, focusing on key areas like energy regulation, artificial intelligence (AI), and small modular reactors (SMRs). This comes after the huge success of the Barakah nuclear project, according to Christer Viktorsson, head of the UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR).
In a recent chat with Yonhap News Agency, Viktorsson praised the South Korean team’s role. "Their experiences have been invaluable to the Barakah project’s success," he said. FANR oversees nuclear safety, security, and radiation protection in the UAE.
South Korea wrapped up building four nuclear reactors at Barakah—about 270 km west of Abu Dhabi—in 2023. They won the contract back in 2009, and now all four units run smoothly, powering up to 25% of the UAE’s electricity needs.
Viktorsson called this UAE-South Korea nuclear cooperation a "role model" for countries new to nuclear energy. "South Korea’s long track record of running nuclear power plants for decades gives us plenty to learn from," he added. He highlighted how Korean experts have boosted FANR’s training programs since the authority started.
Looking ahead, the UAE aims to team up more with South Korea on AI for nuclear regulation. Viktorsson explained that AI tools could make plants safer with real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and quick anomaly detection. "These AI-driven systems can improve simulations, speed up decisions during emergencies, and enhance communication for faster responses," he noted.
The UAE also sees big potential in small modular reactors (SMRs) to meet growing energy demands. Viktorsson mentioned expanding ties in related fields like manufacturing, water desalination, and heating.
This push for stronger UAE-South Korea collaboration in nuclear energy and AI could set new standards for global energy innovation.
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