UK-based engineering consultancy Mott MacDonald has signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea’s Kepco Engineering & Construction Company to explore the potential for it to build a large-scale nuclear facility in the UK.

The MOU came at the same time as an announcement was made of £21bn (€24bn, $26bn) of investment from South Korea in UK energy and infrastructure projects as part of an upgraded trade deal between London and Seoul was agreed.

That agreement will see the UK and South Korea work together on civil nuclear power and reducing the global nuclear industry’s dependence on Russia.

Mott MacDonald said it will support Kepco E&C, owned by the state-backed Korea Electric Power Corporation, in regulatory licensing and permitting and site development.