[Energy-topia] Nuclear Power Is Not a Universal Solution

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The ‘5th Innovative Small Modular Reactor (SMR) National Assembly Forum’ held on the 5th at the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, was truly an occasion to confirm the changed status of nuclear power generation. More people attended than expected, and even the temporarily prepared seats were fully occupied. Politicians and senior government officials attending the event were busy emphasizing how much they had contributed to nuclear power development. At the nuclear industry’s New Year gathering held on the 11th, Minister An Deok-geun of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT were both present. It is extremely rare for ministers from these two ministries to attend the industry’s New Year gathering simultaneously.

Since the Yoon Seok-yeol administration took office, the importance of nuclear power has been re-emphasized, bringing renewed vitality to the nuclear industry. Achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 is difficult with renewable energy alone. Especially for South Korea, geographically, it is challenging to rely solely on solar and wind power. A proper mix with other energy sources such as nuclear power is necessary. The International Energy Agency (IEA) also emphasizes the necessity of nuclear power for carbon neutrality. Western countries, having experienced the Russia-Ukraine war and realizing the importance of energy security, are resuming nuclear power plant construction. The current government’s reversal of the nuclear phase-out policy aligns with this international trend.

However, just as with the nuclear phase-out, excessive optimism about nuclear power should also be approached with caution. The same applies to SMRs, which the current government is emphasizing. The government has selected next-generation nuclear technologies, including SMRs, as one of the 12 national strategic technologies. SMRs significantly reduce size and capacity by placing the reactor core, steam generator, and pressurizer in a single vessel. They have the advantage of enhanced safety, allowing construction near power demand sites. Major countries such as the United States are also competitively developing SMRs.

Because the current government emphasizes SMRs so much, many perceive them as a technology that will soon be realized. Russia and China are already at the commercial operation stage, but our situation is different. South Korea will only begin standard design in April this year, with actual construction starting in 2029. The United States has not yet commercialized SMRs either. Even if SMRs are developed, there are many hurdles to overcome, such as safety verification, establishing regulations, and site selection.

President Yoon Seok-yeol stated at a public discussion on semiconductors on the 15th, "Nuclear power is essential for fostering the semiconductor industry." This is interpreted as a plan to build more nuclear power plants to supply the electricity needed for semiconductor factories. However, this may conflict with RE100 (a campaign to use 100% renewable energy). As major global IT companies declare participation in RE100, increasing the use of nuclear power in semiconductor production is burdensome. The Korean government recently has been leading the Carbon-Free Energy (CFE) initiative, which includes nuclear power, but few countries internationally have joined so far.

It is also worth reconsidering that nuclear power is not entirely free from energy security concerns. Russia supplies 46% of the enriched uranium used as the main fuel for nuclear power. If international tensions worsen, there could be problems in securing enriched uranium supply.

The government is reportedly including plans for additional nuclear power plant construction in the upcoming 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand (Electricity Plan). Normalizing nuclear power, which has been neglected until now, is a welcome development. However, expecting nuclear power to solve all the pressing energy issues is a misconception. It is hoped that the mistakes made by the previous administration will not be repeated.

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