Nuclear Power has emerged a reasonable alternative to cope with the upcoming launch of the Post 2020 climate change regime.Member countries of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are holding last-minute talks in Paris to iron out differences for the launch of a new climate change regime. If the so called COP21 pact of the Framework Convention is to go into force, Korea will obliged to cut 2030 greenhouse gas emissions by 37 percent from business-as-usual (BAU) levels. The COP21 refers to the Paris meeting, the 21st in the series of the Conference of Parties (COP) of the Framework Convention, which came into force in 1994.The COP21 conference is expected to become a watershed in the response to climate change. Korea’s electricity consumption grew an average of 4.1 percent between 2006 and 2014. According to the 2nd Basic Energy Plan, power demand is predicted to rise at an annual average rate of 2.5 percent until 2035.The 7th Basic Plan for Power Supply and Demand, established recently by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, electricity demand is forecast to grow an annual average rate of 2.2 percent until 2029. The latest plan calls for the construction of two new nuclear power units to ensure a stable supply of electricity in return for a reduction on its dependence on fossil fuel-fired units and making good on the nation’s greenhouse gas emission reduction commitment to the UNFCCC.

KHNP Develops Advanced Management Model to be Global Energy Leader

Nuclear power now accounts for approximately 30 percent of the nation’s electricity generation. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has made the feats of constructing and operating nuclear units. In particular, KHNP has a successful track record when it comes to operating nuclear power units: the company saw its units in operation halt 0.3 times per unit in 2013, lower than 0.6 times in the United States and France. Under the stewardship of President & CEO Cho Seok, KIHNP now does not rest on its laurels. The company is now turning to “a massive innovation mode” by reestablishing its core values as a global energy leader. KHNP is striving to put into practice its management tenets: TRUST to gain public trust. TRUST stands for Technology, essential as a technology company; Respect for staff; Ultimate safety; Social responsibility as a public entity; and Timeless integrity for ensuring principled management. KHNP has decided to establish the Integrated Business Management Model, an advanced management regime developed by the company on its own by taking cues from prominent global power companies. To this end, the company has formed a task force comprising of experts in management planning; engineering and power unit operatio; quality and safety; and other diverse sectors. The company is now bracing for the optimal operation of a large number of nuclear power units, which will stand at more than 30 in a few years. It is now reinventing its management through innovation by establishing the advanced integrated management system to become a global energy leader. Korea has moved from strength to strength to rise to a global top-five nuclear power, with 24 nuclear power units in operation. KHNP is poised to begin the commercial operation of the Shin Kori Unit 3, the nation’s first Advanced Power Reaction (APR)-1400 reactor, in mid-2016 as planned. The APR-1400, with 1400MW capacity is the same model as those exported to the United Arab Emirates, which are now under construction. With the recent 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 technology. Shinwolsong Nuclear Power Units 1 and 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 and securing an additional 3.4 percent power reserve rate, contributing to stabilizing power generation in Korea. 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 grown 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.