Reuters reported that South Korea's state power company KHNP is seeking a uranium supply deal with West African producer Niger to fuel an expected doubling in the number of its nuclear power plants by 2030.

Mr Kim Jong Shin president of KHNP said that the subsidiary of Korea Electric Power Company is also ready to help the impoverished but minerals rich country set up its own nuclear power sector.

Mr Shin said that by 2030, we expect to have 40 nuclear units. As you can see we will need more uranium and Niger is a country that can really help us with that. South Korea has 20 nuclear power stations with another six under construction. A further 14 are planned.

He said that KHNP was willing to help Niger build its own nuclear power plant. Despite its uranium and energy deposits, Niger relies on power supply from Nigeria and problems with the sole transmission line have triggered months of shortages. We are ready to help the country establish a nuclear power program.

(Sourced from Reuters)