Jeong Pil-mo "Concerns Over 'Spent Nuclear Fuel' Disposal Crisis in 10 Years... Measures Must Be Taken"

Hanbit Storage Facility to Reach Capacity in 2029, Hanul in 2030, Gori in 2031
"Approaching Saturation Point Makes It Difficult to Avoid Regional Conflicts When Planning Measures"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Concerns have been raised that a crisis in spent nuclear fuel management could occur if the storage facilities for spent nuclear fuel at nuclear power plants reach saturation sequentially over the next 10 years.

According to data submitted by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) to Rep. Jeong Pil-mo of the Democratic Party on the 14th, the spent nuclear fuel storage facilities at Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant are expected to reach saturation in 2029, Hanul Nuclear Power Plant in 2030, and Kori Nuclear Power Plant in 2031, respectively.

This means that, excluding Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant (2042) and Saeul Nuclear Power Plant (2065), the issue of spent nuclear fuel management will become a reality within 10 years.

So far, the only facility confirmed for additional installation due to storage capacity saturation is Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant. As a heavy-water reactor, Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant currently has a spent nuclear fuel storage rate of 93.5% and plans to install a MACSTOR facility, aiming for completion by March 2022, the expected saturation point.

Rep. Jeong pointed out, "If discussions begin only when the spent nuclear fuel storage rate is nearly saturated, the completion timeline will be delayed, and it will be difficult to have sufficient discussions on contentious issues such as regional conflicts."

According to KHNP data, excluding Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant, which has confirmed MACSTOR construction, Hanul Nuclear Power Plant currently has the highest storage rate at 84.1%. It is followed by Kori Nuclear Power Plant at 80.6% and Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant at 71.4%.

Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant, expected to reach saturation in 2042, shows a storage rate of 49.7%, while Saeul Nuclear Power Plant, expected to reach saturation in 2065, has a storage rate of 12.6%.

Rep. Jeong emphasized, "If proactive measures are not taken, a crisis in spent nuclear fuel management will be inevitable within the next 10 years," and added, "All government departments related to nuclear power plant installation and operation, including the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, KHNP, the Ministry of Science and ICT, and the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, must begin discussions on the construction of interim storage facilities."