The official dedication of Shinwolsong Nuclear Power Units 1 & 2, which are 1 million kW-class reactors, is expected to further stabilize Korea’s power supply. With the commercial operation of the units, the final version of the upgraded Korean Nuclear Power Standard (OPR1000), the country is forecast to have a more competitive edge by securing a solid foundation to export nuclear power technologies.
Shinwolsong Nuclear Power Units 1 & 2 are the 23rd and 24th nuclear units in operation in Korea. Construction of Shinwolsong Nuclear Power Unit 1 and Shinwolsong Nuclear Power Unit 2 was completed in July 2012 and this past July, respectively. The units are capable of generating 15.8 billion kWh electricity, accounting for 3 percent of the nation’s annual aggregate power generation amounts and securing an additional 3.4 percent power reserve rate, contributing to stabilizing power generation in Korea. The 15.8 billion kWh of electricity is equivalent to the power Daegu Metropolitan City consumes annually.
It is noteworthy that the latest nuclear power units are the final version of upgraded Korean Nuclear Power Standard (OPR1000), capping Korea’s nuclear power technology prowess. The Korean nuclear power industry, which secured a foundation for nuclear power units during the 1960s to 70s, has gone from strength to strength to produce the final version of an upgraded OPR1000. The OPR1000 model has contributed to securing technological experiences to develop Korea’s exporting nuclear power unit model APR1400 and next-generation nuclear power unit APR.
Korea’s construction and operation of the final version of the upgraded OPR1000 has earned global recognition, which could lead to Korea being in a better position to land overseas nuclear power unit orders.
Shinwolsong Nuclear Power Units 1 & 2 are the ones that obtained a go-ahead in accordance with reinforced safety measures from a stage of construction for the first time since the Fukushima nuclear accident. The latest nuclear power units have 23 safety measures reinforced, including the installment of a facility for removing hydrogen without power and mobile power generating vehicles.
Documents on all parts of the latest nuclear power units have been authenticated to ensure safety, thus improving public reception and reliability toward nuclear power. They have made a feat by introducing an integrated head assembly (IHA) to reduce refueling outages by five days, and improving a low-pressure turbine hood to cut down on installation by 15 days.
The latest nuclear power units see safety improve by some 9 percent compared to previous-generation nuclear power units by improving elements of their design, construction and operation.
Improving solidified waste treatment by cement or parafin with a polymer facility has reduced radioactive waste emissions.
Adopting new engineering methods in construction has reduced their construction period by two months by enhancing economics and eco-friendliness. And a submerged cooling technology has been introduced for the first time in the Korean nuclear power industry to minimize effects of thermal discharges and improve cooling efficiency.
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) has demonstrated its nuclear power operation capabilities by proving safety, enhancing public reliability and completing a smooth testing operation prior to being given a green light on the operation of the units.
KHNP said Shinwolsong Nuclear Power Units 1 & 2 are the last OPR100 models, and the next units will be adopted to the exporting model APR1400 or higher.
Among those on hand at a ceremony to officially dedicate the two nuclear power units at the Wolsong Nuclear Power Complex on Nov. 11 were Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Yoon Sang-jick, KHNP President Cho Seok, and Chairman Kim Ho-sung of Korea Nuclear Energy Agency.
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Dignitaries, including Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Yoon Sang-jick, KHNP President Cho Seok and Chairman Kim Ho-sung of Korea Nuclear Energy Agency cut the ribbon to officially dedicate Shinwolsong Nuclear Power Units 1 & 2 at the Wolsong Nuclear Power Complex on Nov. 11.
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