NSSC Grants Operation License for Shin Hanul Unit 1... Decision Made After 8 Months of Review (Comprehensive)

A panoramic view of the Shin Hanul Nuclear Power Plant in Uljin-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Final operating permission has been granted for Shin Hanul Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1.

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) held its 142nd meeting on the 9th and approved the "Operating Permission for Shin Hanul Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1." This comes eight months after the NSSC officially began reviewing the operating permission.

In granting permission for Shin Hanul Unit 1, the NSSC imposed four conditions on Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), the operator, to enhance nuclear safety.

The NSSC ordered the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute to conduct additional experiments on the Passive Catalytic Recombiners (PAR) installed at Shin Hanul Unit 1 and submit a final report by March 2022, implementing follow-up measures if necessary.

To reduce the risk of aircraft accidents, the NSSC required KHNP to consult with relevant agencies regarding flight frequency restrictions and take necessary follow-up actions. Additionally, they demanded the development of a disaster frequency assessment methodology reflecting potential aircraft collisions that could cause radiation leaks exceeding exposure limits, and submission of the aircraft accident risk assessment results incorporating this methodology.

Lastly, the NSSC requested submission of a revised final safety analysis report before commercial operation begins. Violation of these additional conditions may result in cancellation of the operating permission for Shin Hanul Unit 1 under the Nuclear Safety Act.

KHNP applied for operating permission for Shin Hanul Unit 1 in December 2014, and the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS) conducted pre-use inspections and reviews from December 2014 to May 2020. During this period, permission was delayed due to concerns over the safety of the Passive Catalytic Recombiners (PAR) and insufficient preparedness for terrorism and disaster risks.

The NSSC first reviewed the permission proposal on the 11th of last month but did not reach a conclusion, resubmitting and approving the agenda on this day.

Shin Hanul Unit 1 is a Korean-designed nuclear power plant (APR1400) completed construction in April last year, with a generation capacity of 1400 MW and a design lifespan of 60 years.

Following the decision to grant operating permission for Shin Hanul Unit 1, KHNP plans to proceed with fuel loading and commissioning.

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