Korean company KHNP and Ministry of Mining and Energy signed the memorandums of cooperation in the field of nuclear energy and hydrogen

State Secretary in the Ministry of Mining and Energy, Sonja Vlahović, and President and CEO of the South Korean company “Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power” (KHNP), Jooho Whang, signed two memorandums of understanding on cooperation in the field of nuclear energy and hydrogen

The memorandums were signed as part of the Korean-Serbian Forum for Strategic Energy Development, which was held in Belgrade, and which was organized by the Ministry of Mining and Energy and the Korean Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).

The main goal of the Memorandum in the field of nuclear energy is to provide support to the Ministry of Mining and Energy in the development and training of personnel in Serbia in the field of nuclear technologies and to facilitate the exchange of technical information and expertise between the two parties. The second Memorandum, on cooperation in the field of hydrogen, will enable joint work on the assessment of the potential for the development of green hydrogen pilot projects in Serbia, among other things, through technical exchange and support for the development of human resources, as well as the exchange of knowledge related to the management of the full cycle of hydrogen and the supply chain.

State Secretary Sonja Vlahović said that Serbia is considering nuclear energy as one of the potential energy sources that would contribute to ensuring the country’s energy security in the process of transitioning to clean energy sources. “It is very important for us to develop cooperation with countries and companies that are world leaders in the field of nuclear technologies, to exchange knowledge and experience and invest in the development of our experts. We are also very interested in the opportunities offered by hydrogen technologies and together with partners from South Korea we will consider potential pilot projects,” said Vlahović.

President and CEO of the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Company, Jooho Whang, said that the cooperation that has been established will enable sustainable growth for Serbia and the KHNP company. “We especially expect demonstration projects in the field of hydrogen to play a key role in the development of the hydrogen industry in Serbia. Additionally, the agreement will open new opportunities for cooperation in the clean energy sector in a broader sense,” he said.

The memorandum in the field of nuclear energy envisages that KHNP will provide support in the development of personnel training programs in the Ministry and other relevant state institutions, faculties and companies, which would cover various aspects of nuclear technologies, safety and the regulatory framework. It is also foreseen to establish a mechanism for the regular exchange of technical information, research results and best practices in the field of nuclear energy.

Within the forum, which was attended by representatives of the KHNP company, the branch of the Hyundai Engineering company in Serbia and representatives of the leading Serbian energy companies, potential cooperation in connection with RES projects in Serbia was discussed.

Also, as part of the Korean-Serbian forum for strategic energy development, a seminar was held where, among other things, representatives of the Ministry presented the main goals and planned activities from the Energy Development Strategy of the Republic of Serbia until 2040.

S.A.