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Turkish nuclear technology company Nuclean and South Korean Innovative Small Modular Reactor Development Agency (i-SMRDA) have joined forces to support the deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) in Türkiye and strengthen cooperation in the growing nuclear energy sector.
The two organizations signed a strategic cooperation agreement covering the development of SMR projects in Türkiye and the broader region, joint evaluation of opportunities in the sector, and efforts to bring Turkish manufacturers into the global i-SMR supply chain.
The partnership also aims to establish a sustainable project development ecosystem that contributes to Türkiye's clean energy transition and long-term nuclear energy targets, according to a statement from the Turkish company.
Nuclean Board Member Koray Tuncer described the agreement as an important step for Türkiye's nuclear ambitions, noting that the country aims to reach 20,000 megawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2050.
"Innovative small modular reactors will take on a critical role during this process," Tuncer said, adding that i-SMRDA is developing a competitive SMR technology with plans to launch it globally within the next five years.
He noted that efforts are already underway to integrate Turkish manufacturers into the i-SMR supply chain, strengthen domestic production capabilities and support future deployment in Türkiye and neighboring markets.
Han Gon Kim, president of i-SMRDA, said South Korea aims to secure standard design approval for its i-SMR technology by 2028 and bring it to global markets in the 2030s. Based on light-water reactor technology, the design is expected to offer enhanced safety, improved economic efficiency and greater compatibility with renewable energy sources.
Kim added that the partnership would strengthen i-SMRDA's access to Türkiye's industrial base while supporting its role in regional SMR projects. "Türkiye is taking important steps in nuclear energy and could emerge as a key hub in the development of the regional SMR ecosystem," he said.
The latest agreement builds on growing nuclear cooperation between Türkiye and South Korea, which has emerged as one of Ankara's key partners as it seeks to expand its nuclear energy program beyond the Russian-built Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant.
During South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's visit to Ankara in November 2025, the two countries signed a series of agreements to deepen cooperation in strategic sectors, including nuclear power.
Since then, discussions have continued over potential South Korean participation in Türkiye's planned nuclear projects, while cooperation has expanded to advanced reactor technologies, including small modular reactors.
Ankara is seeking partners for additional large-scale nuclear power plants in Sinop and Thrace while exploring next-generation reactor technologies as part of its broader expansion strategy, with South Korea emerging as one of the key contenders for future nuclear projects, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar previously said.
Bayraktar had described SMRs as a complement to conventional nuclear plants because of their lower upfront costs, shorter construction periods and flexibility in serving industrial facilities, remote areas and rising electricity demand, while noting that Türkiye is also holding talks with U.S., Canadian and French companies as it evaluates SMR technologies for future deployment.
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