ID :
109727
Thu, 03/04/2010 - 11:10
Auther :

KEPCO seeks to export nuclear power plant to Turkey: officials

SEOUL, March 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's state-run electricity supplier is seeking to sign a preliminary deal with the Turkish government to explore the feasibility of exporting its nuclear power plant technology to the country, government and company officials here said Thursday.

Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) is "in discussion" with Turkey's energy
ministry on signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to construct nuclear
power plants there, a South Korean government official close to the matter said.
"Currently, Turkey is not prepared in terms of where it will build a nuclear
power plant and how to fund the construction," the official said. "The MOU seems
to be intended to pave the way for both sides to conduct joint research on those
issues."
He, however, noted that an MOU does not necessarily mean an immediate
construction order, cautioning against any early conclusion.
Earlier in the day, the Chosun Ilbo, South Korea's largest newspaper in terms of
subscription, reported that KEPCO is expected to sign an MOU with the Turkish
government early next week, citing an unidentified high-ranking government
official. Under the deal, both sides will establish a joint task force to
determine details on power plant construction, it added.
A KEPCO official at its PR team confirmed that discussion on the MOU is underway
but that there is no fixed timetable, saying the deal, if signed, will only mark
the start of a "long process" toward striking any construction contract.
Shares of KEPCO traded 0.81 percent higher at 37,200 won on Seoul's main bourse
as of 10:03 a.m.
The move comes after a consortium led by the state-run electricity supplier
signed a US$20 billion deal in December with the United Arab Emirates to build
four nuclear power plants in the oil-rich country.
That marked South Korea's first nuclear power plant export deal, and is expected
to generate contracts for South Korean companies worth an additional $20 billion
for decades to come.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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