Industry Minister: "Shinhanul Units 3 and 4 Construction Plan Not Included in 9th Basic Electricity Plan"

At the National Assembly Mountain Environment Committee meeting, responding to Assemblyman Kwon Myeong-ho's question, "The decision to halt construction was made according to existing plans and policies"

Sung Yun-mo, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy (left), answers questions at the plenary meeting of the Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 26th. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Sung Yun-mo, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, stated on the 26th, "The construction of Shin Hanul Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 and 4 is not included in the 9th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand."

Minister Sung made this remark during the plenary session of the Industry, Trade, and Small and Medium Venture Business Committee held at the National Assembly on the same day, in response to a question from Kwon Myung-ho, a member of the People Power Party, regarding the suspension of construction of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4.

Earlier, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy reported the 9th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand to the Electricity Policy Deliberation Committee on the 24th. The Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand is an administrative plan established under the Electricity Business Act to ensure stable electricity supply and demand.

Assemblyman Kwon pointed out, "Although the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has halted the construction, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) says it does not know when the completion will be," adding, "They are shifting responsibility to each other."

He further stated, "The Ministry must announce a clear decision on the suspension of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 construction and follow proper procedures," and requested, "While carbon neutrality is important, please establish an energy policy that also utilizes nuclear power."

In response, Minister Sung explained, "KHNP only obtained a power generation business permit but not a construction permit, yet proceeded with construction following existing practices," adding, "Due to the relationship with Doosan Heavy Industries, the current decision is on hold."

Minister Sung added, "The government is also monitoring this process," and said, "At the government level, the decision to suspend construction was made according to existing plans and policies."

The construction plan for Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 was excluded from the 8th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand as part of the government's energy transition roadmap. Currently, construction is suspended, and KHNP and Doosan, who promoted the project, may suffer financial losses.

A panoramic view of the site for Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 located within the Hanul Nuclear Power Headquarters of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power in Uljin-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. (Photo by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power)