[The Editors' Verdict] Carbon Neutrality Cannot Go Hand in Hand with Nuclear Phase-Out

It has been four years since President Moon Jae-in declared the phase-out of nuclear power at the permanent shutdown ceremony of Kori Unit 1 on June 19, 2017. About three years later, on October 28 last year, President Moon declared carbon neutrality in his National Assembly policy speech. South Korea’s energy policy appears to be pursuing nuclear phase-out and decarbonization simultaneously. However, given South Korea’s energy situation, it is impossible to proceed with both nuclear phase-out and decarbonization at the same time. The government should now retract the nuclear phase-out in line with carbon neutrality.

The key to retracting the nuclear phase-out lies in resuming construction of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4. According to the government’s nuclear phase-out roadmap, construction of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4, which was halted in 2017, represents South Korea’s concentrated nuclear technology. This is the very reactor type that the United States is proposing for nuclear export cooperation. They cannot stop domestic construction while promoting exports. Moreover, the carbon reduction achievable by Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 amounts to a staggering 17 million tons annually. This accounts for 30% of the 58 million tons targeted for reduction in the power sector through energy transition in the 2030 greenhouse gas roadmap. Since carbon capture can only reduce about 10 million tons and South Korea’s forests can absorb around 20 million tons, Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 play a huge role in contributing to carbon neutrality.

Nevertheless, Minister Moon Seung-wook of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy recently stated in an interview that resuming construction of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 is not being considered. He cited safety and density concerns as reasons. Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 are third-generation reactors, which are more than ten times safer than the second-generation reactors that dominate domestically. Their safety has been recognized in the United States and Europe as well. South Korea’s nuclear plant density is high in terms of area. If density is a concern, replacing the 10 reactors scheduled for closure by 2030 with six APR1400 reactors like Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 would increase safety and reduce density. Small modular reactors are revolutionary in safety. Depending on development outcomes, they could become a trump card for carbon neutrality.

Minister Moon said that even if the entire nation wants nuclear power, local acceptance is an obstacle. However, the local area where Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 are located also hopes for the resumption of construction. He also mentioned that no new nuclear plants will be built without ensuring the safety of spent nuclear fuel, but there has never been an accident caused by spent nuclear fuel worldwide. Nevertheless, for higher safety, it is being buried deep underground. According to Sweden’s safety analysis of spent nuclear fuel disposal sites, radiation leakage from the disposal site would occur only after 50,000 years. Even then, it would be far lower than environmental radiation. The existential threat to humanity from failure to achieve carbon neutrality is said to occur within 100 years. We must persuade which risk is more serious rather than using spent nuclear fuel as a justification for nuclear phase-out. Spent nuclear fuel is a byproduct of the benefits we have received. It should not be viewed as an issue dividing opinions on nuclear power.

Given the gravity of carbon neutrality, the United Nations evaluates nuclear power as an energy source contributing to humanity’s sustainability. In Europe, nuclear power is also being assessed as not particularly harmful compared to other energy sources. It is expected that nuclear power will soon be included within the scope of the Green New Deal. The International Energy Agency forecasts that by 2050, electricity will account for 50% of energy consumption, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) and coal power will be completely replaced by nuclear power and renewable energy. Barclays Bank in the UK released a report stating that nuclear power is essential for carbon neutrality. Credit Suisse, an international investment bank, also listed small modular reactors among the top 10 technologies to combat carbon neutrality. From private investors to international organizations, nuclear power is being spotlighted for carbon neutrality. As the minister in charge of implementing carbon neutrality, Minister Moon should untie the nuclear phase-out knot by resuming construction of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4.

Jung Dong-wook, Professor, Department of Energy Systems Engineering, Chung-Ang University