Saeul 3: South Korea's Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 Operational
South Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission has issued an operational license for Saeul Nuclear Power Plant unit 3, marking a significant milestone in the country's nuclear energy sector.
This unit, previously known as Shin Kori Unit 5, is an APR1400 pressurized water reactor with a substantial output of 1,400 MW and a 60-year design life. The reactor's construction and operation have been a subject of interest and scrutiny, especially given South Korea's previous nuclear phase-out policy.
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) is now set to begin fuel loading, followed by an extensive eight-month performance testing phase, including power ramp-up testing and maintenance. The goal is to achieve commercial operation by August. KHNP received the original construction license for this unit in 2016 and commenced work. The application for an operating permit was made in August 2020, and the project has since progressed with enhanced safety measures.
Saeul Unit 3 boasts several advanced safety features, such as a 15-centimeter increase in the reactor building's wall thickness and a 30-centimeter increase in auxiliary building wall thicknesses, designed to withstand external events like aircraft crashes. Additional measures protect against earthquakes and include backup generators for external power loss. It also features storage capacity for used nuclear fuel throughout its 60-year design life.
KHNP's Acting President and CEO, Jeon Dae-wook, emphasized the commitment to thorough test runs and inspections, prioritizing safety and quality assurance to ensure stable electricity production from Saeul Unit 3.
The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission's Chairman, Choi Won-ho, further assured that the safety of Saeul Unit 3 has been meticulously verified based on legal procedures and scientific evidence. Pre-use inspections will be conducted during the nuclear fuel loading and test run phase, reinforcing the commitment to safety.
The Saeul Unit 3 construction project has been a significant undertaking, involving approximately 760 companies and contributing to job creation and production in related industries, including equipment manufacturing, construction, and maintenance. This unit is expected to continue creating jobs directly and indirectly over its 60-year operational period.
Once operational, Saeul Unit 3 will supply approximately 1.7% of Korea's total power generation and 37% of Ulsan's electricity demand. It's worth noting that in 2022, KHNP announced a name change for units 3-6 of the Shin Kori plant in Busan, southeastern South Korea, which will now be known as units 1-4 of the Saeul plant. The names of Shin Kori units 1 and 2, operating since 2011 and 2012, respectively, remain unchanged.
South Korea stands as one of the world's leading nuclear energy countries, with 26 operable reactors generating about a third of the country's electricity. Nuclear energy has been a strategic priority, but a policy introduced by President Moon Jae-in in 2017 aimed to phase out nuclear energy over 45 years. This policy was subsequently scrapped in 2022 by President Yoon Suk-yeol, indicating a shift in the country's nuclear energy strategy.
