The UK and the Republic of Korea are to collaborate more closely on the development of renewable energy sources and move towards energy independence.
Energy Security Secretary, Grant Shapps has joined forces with the Republic of Korea to collaborate on accelerating the move towards a cleaner, more energy-secure future, including renewables and nuclear.
UK companies already represent 60% of Korean offshore wind engineering contracts, and Korea is already investing in projects supporting the offshore wind industry in the UK.
Shapps will also encourage the Republic of Korea to join the 168-strong ‘Powering Past Coal Alliance’ and commit to bringing forward its own 2050 coal power phase-out date towards 2030, with support from Britain’s own expertise in offshore wind.
As well as encouraging ever-greater collaboration on offshore wind, the Energy Security Secretary also agreed to a joint statement of cooperation with Dr Lee Chang-Yang – Minister of Trade Industry and Energy in the Republic of Korea on advancing civil nuclear power generation, cementing a partnership spanning over three decades, covering issues including safety standards and regulation, all agreeing on the crucial role of nuclear in creating secure, affordable and clean energy.
Shapps says: ‘I want the Republic of Korea to work ever closer with us in the UK, making the most of world-leading British expertise to move further and faster towards greater use of renewables, of opportunities in the UK to invest, and to redouble our efforts against Putin’s weaponizing of our global energy sources.’
The cooperation will focus on accelerating plans for civil nuclear, agreement on collaborating to promote the highest standards of nuclear safety, regulation, security, safeguards and non-proliferation, confirmation of plans to build resilient nuclear supply chains and reaffirming a shared commitment to accelerate the just transition away from unabated coal power and actively collaborate on expanding renewable energy technologies.
