South Korea scales back nuclear plans

• 10 years ago (2014-01-15)
• Junior Isles

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South Korea’s energy ministry has confirmed the scale-back of its plans for nuclear power in the country, although replacing and expanding the current generation of plants over the next two decades will still be required.

The country's reliance on nuclear power would be reduced to 29 per cent of total power supply by 2035, down from a planned 41 per cent by 2030. Nuclear power comprised 26 per cent of South Korea's energy mix at the end of 2012.

South Korea has been forced to respond to a safety scandal surrounding fake safety certificates for some reactor parts, which led to the shutdown of three plants last year.

Back in December, the ministry unveiled a draft of its revised policy, which made it clear that nuclear power still has a substantial role to play and its capacity would not be drastically slashed or expanded.

The ministry says the country will need a total of 36 000 MW of nuclear power capacity by 2024, and 43 000 MW by 2035.

South Korea currently has 23 nuclear reactors and plans to add 11 more by 2024, five of which are already under construction.

Under the now abandoned plan, South Korea would have needed up to 20 additional reactors built by 2035.

The ministry also said it plans to invest 1.1 trillion won ($94.64 million) by 2017 in existing nuclear facilities as part of a programme to strengthen nuclear safety.