Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant 'Shutdown' Prevented: "Maxter Construction to Start This Month... Ongoing Resident Persuasion"

Ministry of Industry Reports 'Maxter Expansion Plan' at Current Issues Meeting
Establishes Mid- to Long-Term Management Policy...Reevaluation Committee to Recommend Policies by Year-End
"Race to Communicate and Persuade Stakeholders"...Holds Results Briefing Session

Asia Economy DB=Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The government has made a final decision to expand the temporary storage facility for spent nuclear fuel (MACSTOR) at the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk. After completing administrative procedures such as building notifications, construction is expected to begin as early as next week.

On the morning of the 20th, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy reported the 'Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant MACSTOR Expansion Plan' at the National Policy Issue Inspection and Coordination Meeting chaired by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun. The government has finalized the decision to add seven MACSTOR units at Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant, resolving the issue of additional MACSTOR construction that had been stalled due to saturation of spent nuclear fuel and opposition from some citizens and environmental groups.

According to Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), as of the end of March this year, 95.36% of the 168,000 bundles capacity of the MACSTOR at Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant was filled with spent nuclear fuel, and it was estimated to reach saturation around March 2022. Accordingly, KHNP has been promoting a plan to build seven additional MACSTOR units next to the existing MACSTOR site at Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant, capable of storing 168,000 bundles. Considering the approximately 19-month construction period, construction needed to start by August to avoid a 'shutdown' crisis at Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant.

Previously, the Spent Nuclear Fuel Management Policy Review Committee conducted a survey on the additional construction of MACSTOR with 145 citizen participants. The results showed 81.4% (118 people) in favor, 11% (16 people) opposed, and 7.6% (11 people) undecided. Through three weeks of deliberative learning and comprehensive discussions, support increased (58.6% → 81.4%) while undecided responses decreased (33.1% → 7.6%).

The canister of the dry storage facility for spent nuclear fuel, constructed prior to the MACSTOR within the nuclear power plant. [Image source=Yonhap News]

"MACSTOR Construction to Begin in August"…Enhanced Monitoring and Customized Information Provision

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy plans to soon convey the survey results and MACSTOR expansion plan to Gyeongju City and KHNP. A ministry official said, "Once Gyeongju City reviews and approves KHNP's construction notification for the MACSTOR, the administrative procedures will be completed. We expect construction to begin in August."

The ministry sought additional opinions from stakeholders to promote a policy with high acceptance regarding the MACSTOR expansion. Stakeholders raised various opinions, including the need to improve the opinion collection process, expand regional support, and the urgency of starting MACSTOR construction promptly.

A ministry official stated, "Considering the raised opinions, we will expand communication and strive to strengthen local residents' acceptance through institutional improvements."

KHNP plans to strengthen environmental monitoring and provide customized information. Radiation detectors will be installed at the MACSTOR site and nearby nuclear power plant areas, and customized information will be provided through text alerts, social media, and kiosks at bus stops.

Additionally, communication activities will be enhanced by forming a citizen monitoring group to visit the MACSTOR construction site through public advertisements and local recommendations.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regional Support Measures Prepared…Review Committee's Mid- to Long-Term Policy Recommendations

KHNP will also prepare regional support measures related to the MACSTOR expansion. According to the 'Basic Plan for High-Level Radioactive Waste Management' established in July 2016, the management of spent nuclear fuel within the nuclear power plant site is due to delays in securing management facilities such as interim storage and permanent disposal facilities, so support should be provided at a reasonable level in consultation with the nuclear power plant host region.

Separately, the Review Committee will establish mid- to long-term management policies and examine legal amendments derived from the MACSTOR expansion process. Regarding mid- to long-term management policies, expert opinions will be collected by October, and a policy recommendation plan will be prepared by the end of the year after synthesizing the results.

A ministry official said, "Despite the efforts of the government and the Review Committee, the fact that sufficient participation from civil society opposing the MACSTOR expansion was not achieved during the opinion collection process remains a challenge that must be continuously addressed."

He added, "We will continue efforts to communicate and persuade stakeholders to develop a highly acceptable spent nuclear fuel management policy."

Meanwhile, considering the spread of COVID-19, the Review Committee will hold an online briefing session on the results of regional opinion collection on the 26th. The briefing will be live-streamed on the YouTube channel from 4 to 5 p.m. that day, and questions will be accepted through a Q&A board.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.