In his New Year’s message, released on Jan. 2, President Whang Joo-ho of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) said the power company will build a foundation for future growth through the safe operation of nuclear power units and spearhead a carbo neutrality initiative.
President Whang suggested four keywords to contribute to the development of the national economy: safety, export, future, carbon neutrality and trust.
Looking back at the last year, President Whang said, “We had been running at full throttle to make the revival of the nuclear power industry, and the Shin Hanul Nuclear Power Unit 1 was dedicated and a foundation to lead the future nuclear power industry, such as exporting abroad and the implementation of small modular reactors had been built.”
He also spoke of the implementation of new power plants and spearheading carbon neutrality via hydroelectricity power, pumped storage power and renewable energies.
KHNP will raise the capacity factor of nuclear power units based on safety and reinvent operation regimes by building an integrated management system related to digital nuclear power operation, President Whang said.
He called for proactively proposing ideas to ensure the timely passage of legislation on spent nuclear fuel.
President Whang asked for the building an export foundation to aggressively develop projects of potential nuclear power countries, saying that the export sector may be widened by making the most of Korea’s experiences and resources.
President Whang expressed his strong determination to commercialize SMR, a future growth engine, saying that the technology competitiveness of innovative SMRs will raise exports, and more private sector investments will happen on top of government expenditures.
He emphasized harmony between nuclear power and renewal energies, saying that efficiency will be raised by modernizing hydro power plant and localization, new pumped storage power plants will be constructed successfully, clean hydrogen projects will be diversified and efforts will be made to advance production of hydrogen via nuclear power.
President Whang urged his executives and staffers to be armed with integrity and ethics, carry out social responsibilities, fully implement national agendas, secure financial soundness and upgrade an in-house surveillance system.
KHNP will conduct activities tailored to meet needs of residents near nuclear power units so that they can receive benefits. He called for communicating with neighborhood residents and people.
President Whang demanded the exploration of new markets, such as SMRs and production of clean hydrogen like a “first penguin, jumping into the sea after overcoming a severe winter and hunger.”
KHNP President Whang Discusses Ways of Ensuring Energy Self-Sufficiency in Europe
President Whang Joo-ho of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) attended a high-level panel discussion and discussed ways of ensuring energy self-sufficiency in Europe at the Polish Pavilion at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023 on Jan. 18. The debate was hosted by the Polish government.
KHNP President Whang’s participation in the debate was made at the request of Deputy Prime Minister-Minister of State Assets Jacek Sasin.
Starting with a keynote speech by Polish President Andrzej Duda, the debate took place with panelists, including Polish Deputy Prime Minister Sasin, Korean Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun, Polish PGE President Wojciech Dabrowski, and ZEPAK Director Maciej Stec in attendance.
KHNP President Whang said in the debate, “KHNP will do its utmost to supply low-carbon energy to Poland by constructing new nuclear power units timely in collaboration with Polish independent power plant companies.”
_한수원 황주호 사장 다보스 패널 토론회 참석.jpg)
