“Leaving the Shortcut to Carbon Zero” Gyeongbuk Province Greatly Welcomes the Long-Delayed Operating Permit for Shin Hanul Unit 1

Only Nuclear Power Enables Carbon Neutrality, Stable Electricity Supply, Increased Local Tax Revenue, and Economic Vitality Expected

Shin Hanul Units 1 and 2, Uljin-gun, Gyeongbuk. [Image source=Gyeongbuk Province]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Gyeongbuk is excited. Gyeongsangbuk-do has warmly welcomed the conditional operation approval of Uljin Shin Hanul Unit 1.

On the 10th, Gyeongsangbuk-do announced that it welcomes the decision to approve the operation license for Shin Hanul Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1, which was submitted as Agenda Item 1 at the 142nd Nuclear Safety and Security Commission meeting on the 9th.

In addition to the 24 domestic nuclear power plant units currently operating or under inspection, Shin Hanul Unit 1 will become the 25th nuclear power plant unit to be activated.

Originally, Shin Hanul Unit 1 was scheduled for commercial operation in 2018, but the operation decision was repeatedly delayed due to the Gyeongju earthquake and the current government's 'nuclear phase-out' policy.

Meanwhile, since October last year, Gyeongbuk Province has formed a joint TF team with cities and counties to analyze the damage caused by the delay in operation approval of Shin Hanul Units 1 and 2, and has visited the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission several times to urge prompt operation approval.

On May 12, Park Hyung-soo, a member of the National Assembly representing the Uljin district (People Power Party), along with the Uljin County Governor, met with the chairman of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission to propose a prompt operation approval decision on the condition of thorough performance testing of the hydrogen removal facility (PAR), which had been a contentious issue.

Additionally, on April 1, an official letter was sent to the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission urging the 'prompt operation approval of Shin Hanul Units 1 and 2,' officially calling for the nuclear power plant operation license.

If the conditions are met, Shin Hanul Unit 1 is expected to begin fuel loading soon, followed by commissioning, and commence commercial operation in 2022.

For the design lifespan of 60 years, it is expected to provide about 20 billion KRW annually in statutory support funds (basic support projects, operator support projects) and increase local tax revenue, bringing new vitality to the Uljin regional economy.

Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do, said, “We warmly welcome the operation approval of Shin Hanul Unit 1, a new reactor equipped with the highest level of safety technology.”

The governor added, “As a nuclear power plant optimized for the carbon-neutral era, we will proactively lead projects such as SMR (Small Modular Reactor) and the nuclear hydrogen production complex to create a new nuclear ecosystem.”

Meanwhile, Shin Hanul Unit 2, located alongside Unit 1, plans to obtain operation approval by June 2022, reflecting safety inspections and equipment schedules, and to begin commercial operation in March 2023.

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