Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 Groundbreaking... Government Says "Foundation for Rejump of Korean Nuclear Power Industry Established"

Comprehensive Completion of Shin Hanul Units 1 and 2 and Groundbreaking of Units 3 and 4
Power Generation from Units 1 and 2 Enough to Run 2-3 Semiconductor Factories

The construction of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4, which had been halted due to the Moon Jae-in administration's nuclear phase-out policy including the cancellation of new nuclear power plants, has officially begun.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that it held a ceremony for the comprehensive completion of Units 1 and 2 and the groundbreaking of Units 3 and 4 at the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Hanul Nuclear Power Headquarters located in Uljin-gun, Gyeongbuk Province.

Shin Hanul Unit 1 commenced commercial operation in December 2022, and Unit 2 in April 2024, completing the construction project of two nuclear power plants built as a pair. These are the 27th and 28th nuclear power plants to begin commercial operation in Korea, and the power plant is the seventh to apply the next-generation Korean-designed reactor (APR1400), which is also an export-type nuclear reactor.

Exterior view of Shin Hanul Units 1 and 2. (Photo by 자료)

An official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy explained, "The comprehensive completion of Shin Hanul Units 1 and 2 holds significance as a stable power source to meet the rapidly increasing electricity demand due to the development of advanced industries," adding, "Operating a single state-of-the-art semiconductor factory requires about 1 to 1.5 GW of power, so the electricity generated by Shin Hanul Units 1 and 2 can power 2 to 3 semiconductor factories." He further stated, "Especially for advanced industries such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI), a stable power supply is crucial, and the role of nuclear power plants, which produce a constant amount of electricity regardless of circumstances as baseload power, is expected to become even more important."

Construction of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 has commenced. Upon its inauguration, the Yoon Suk-yeol administration decided to resume construction of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 in its 'New Government Energy Policy Direction' to normalize the nuclear power industry, which had been weakened by the nuclear phase-out policy. Subsequently, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and 11 related ministries and agencies, along with two local governments (Gyeongbuk Province and Uljin-gun), conducted intensive consultations and approved the implementation plan within 11 months. The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission also pushed for intensive consultations and reviews on the previously halted construction permit review, granting construction approval on September 12, leading to the full-scale resumption of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 construction.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy evaluates the recent completion of Shin Hanul Units 1 and 2 and the groundbreaking of Units 3 and 4, along with the recent selection of the preferred bidder for a new nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic, as achievements that have fully normalized the nuclear power ecosystem. The ministry plans to promote policy tasks so that the nuclear power industry can evolve beyond normalization to become a global leader.

First, a support system will be established to enhance the competitiveness of Korea's nuclear power ecosystem. The government will prepare a predictable and sustainable mid- to long-term nuclear policy, push forward legislative procedures for the 'Special Act on Support for the Nuclear Industry' to ensure consistent support for the nuclear industry, and establish and announce the '2050 Mid- to Long-term Nuclear Industry Roadmap' within the year. In addition, the construction of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 and the continued operation of 10 operating nuclear power plants will be pursued swiftly under the principle of safety first. The government will also focus on supporting the enactment of the 'High-level Radioactive Waste Management Special Act,' which is essential for the stable operation of nuclear power plants.

Meanwhile, at the event, awards were also presented to those who contributed to the construction site of Shin Hanul Unit 2, the localization of equipment, and to small and medium-sized nuclear power companies for their meritorious service.

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