KHNP "Typhoon Jeongji Power Plant Recovery Underway... Efforts to Prevent Recurrence"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has apologized for the power plant shutdown caused by the typhoon and announced plans to establish measures to prevent recurrence.

On the 8th, KHNP stated, "We apologize to the public for the concern caused by the shutdown of six reactors (Kori Units 3 and 4, Shin-Kori Units 1 and 2, Wolseong Units 2 and 3) due to Typhoon Maysak (No. 9) and Typhoon Haishen (No. 10)."

KHNP added, "Although the shutdown was carried out according to design to safely protect the power plants in case of equipment abnormalities, we believe it did not fully satisfy the public's trust in nuclear power plant operations."

According to KHNP's investigation, a large amount of salt was introduced into the power facilities on the plant site due to high waves and strong winds caused by the typhoons approaching the nuclear power plants, resulting in equipment failure.

They explained that salt entered the transmission and substation-related equipment that exchanges electricity with the outside, causing malfunctions. KHNP reported that protective devices for the power generation equipment were activated, leading to the shutdown.

KHNP informed that they are currently restoring the faulty equipment and removing the salt deposits from the power facilities. They stated, "We plan to conduct equipment tests to verify soundness and restart the power plants based on the official investigation results from regulatory authorities."

KHNP said, "In the long term, we will establish and implement recurrence prevention measures such as improving equipment vulnerable to salt intrusion through diagnostics of all power plant electrical facilities," and added, "We will do our best to operate the power plants stably even in natural disasters exceeding past records, taking this incident as an opportunity."

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