South Korea postpones design of new nuclear power plants

• 6 years ago (2017-05-26)
• David Flin

Asia 846 Nuclear 639

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Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Company (KHNP) has said that it has postponed a plan to design two new nuclear power plants to be built in Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province.

KHNP said that it had asked KEPCO Engineering & Construction (KEPCO E&C) to halt the design of units 3 and 4 of the Shin Hanul Nuclear Power Plant in Uljin. KHNP signed a design contract with KEPCO E&C in March 2016, before obtaining a license for power generation. Under the original plan, Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 would have been completed by the end of 2022 and 2023 respectively.

However, the situation has changed following the inauguration of President Moon Jea-in, who promised to reduce South Korea’s dependence on nuclear power plants. During his campaign, Moon pledged to halt ongoing construction of new nuclear power plants and cancel all construction plans. A KHNP official said: “We have found it difficult to push for the design project under the circumstances where government policy is fluid.” KHNP plans to continue its business related with power plant construction licensing.