South Korea and Singapore have signed a strategic cooperation agreement on small modular reactors (SMRs), as the city-state studies next-generation nuclear technology to meet rising electricity demand and climate targets.
SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors designed to generate up to about 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity per unit, roughly one-third the capacity of conventional large reactors. Built using modular components that can be factory-assembled and transported to site, they are intended to reduce construction time and costs. Their smaller footprint and enhanced passive safety systems have positioned them as a potential low carbon energy source for countries with land constraints or smaller grids.
The memorandum of understanding (MOU), exchanged between Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) and Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) on Sunday, marks the first nuclear energy-related MOU between a South Korean nuclear operator and a Singapore government agency, according to South Korea’s industry ministry.
Under the agreement, KHNP and EMA will jointly assess the feasibility of deploying SMRs in Singapore, exchange technical information and regulatory best practices, and cooperate on training nuclear professionals. KHNP will also participate in EMA-led studies evaluating suitable SMR designs.
“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.”
Singapore has been studying nuclear energy as part of its long-term energy strategy. With limited renewable energy potential due to land scarcity and a lack of natural resources, the country currently relies heavily on imported natural gas for power generation.
Electricity demand is projected to rise sharply in the coming years, driven in part by the expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure and energy-intensive data centres.
To diversify supply and cut emissions, Singapore has identified four potential “switches” for its future energy mix, including solar power, regional power imports, low-carbon hydrogen and advanced nuclear technologies such as SMRs.
The Singapore government has set aside approximately KRW5 trillion (US$3.8 billion) under a future energy policy fund to support research, capability development and international partnerships related to SMRs.
The authorities are also conducting technical feasibility studies, developing regulatory frameworks and building nuclear safety expertise before making any deployment decision.
For Singapore, SMRs are seen as potentially more viable than traditional gigawatt-scale nuclear plants, as their smaller size allows for greater siting flexibility and phased deployment.
KHNP is currently developing the Korean Innovative Small Modular Reactor (i-SMR), targeting commercialisation in the mid-2030s. South Korean officials said the partnership could serve as a stepping stone for participation in future SMR projects should Singapore proceed with deployment.
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.
