News & Event
- Home
- News
- News & Event
S. Korea to shut down oldest reactor in 2017
Built in 1977, the 580-megawatt light water reactor extended its life by 10 years to 2017, but it has faced growing pressure to shutdown from residents and civic groups over safety concerns in light of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis in Japan.
It will be the first time that South Korea permanently closes a nuclear power plant, presenting the difficult challenge of decommissioning.
"Although the Kori-1 is safe for continued operation, there were differing opinions over its economic feasibility," the KHNP said following a meeting of board of directors.
"The board members agreed that closing the reactor wouldn't pose a serious problem for the nation's energy supply and it would help the nuclear industry's mid- and long-term development."
The energy ministry expected it would take at least 15 years to demolish the reactor, pledging to set the legal framework and develop decommissioning technology.
There are 23 nuclear reactors producing about a third of the electrical energy for Asia's fourth-largest economy.
While 11 others are or will soon be under construction, the ministry recently announced a long-term energy plan to build two more nuclear power plants, bringing the total to 36 plants by 2029 as part of efforts to cut carbon emissions.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
Copyrights Yonhap News. All Rights Reserved. Source Text
Source: Yonhap News (Jun. 16, 2015)
Date
2015.06.17
Views
974
According to Yonhap News,
(SEOUL=Yonhap News) South Korea's oldest nuclear reactor will come to a permanent halt when its operational license expires in 2017 as the state nuclear operator on Tuesday gave up a second bid for a life extension amid safety woes.
Built in 1977, the 580-megawatt light water reactor extended its life by 10 years to 2017, but it has faced growing pressure to shutdown from residents and civic groups over safety concerns in light of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis in Japan.
It will be the first time that South Korea permanently closes a nuclear power plant, presenting the difficult challenge of decommissioning.
"Although the Kori-1 is safe for continued operation, there were differing opinions over its economic feasibility," the KHNP said following a meeting of board of directors.
"The board members agreed that closing the reactor wouldn't pose a serious problem for the nation's energy supply and it would help the nuclear industry's mid- and long-term development."
The energy ministry expected it would take at least 15 years to demolish the reactor, pledging to set the legal framework and develop decommissioning technology.
There are 23 nuclear reactors producing about a third of the electrical energy for Asia's fourth-largest economy.
While 11 others are or will soon be under construction, the ministry recently announced a long-term energy plan to build two more nuclear power plants, bringing the total to 36 plants by 2029 as part of efforts to cut carbon emissions.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
Copyrights Yonhap News. All Rights Reserved. Source Text
Source: Yonhap News (Jun. 16, 2015)