Shin Hanul Unit 1 Begins First Fuel Loading Aiming for Commercial Operation Next Year... KHNP "Expect Strengthened Stable Power Supply"

Received Conditional Operation Permit 15 Months After Completion
Trial Operation Conducted for 8 Months, Commercial Operation Scheduled for March Next Year

On the 14th, Jeong Jae-hoon, CEO of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, is inspecting the Shin Hanul Unit 1 site.

[Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] Shin Hanul Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1, located in Uljin, Gyeongbuk, has begun fuel loading with the goal of commercial operation in March next year. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), the operator of Shin Hanul Unit 1, expects that once commercial operation begins as planned, the nuclear power capacity will increase, strengthening power supply capability and boosting profits due to increased electricity sales.

A KHNP official said on the 16th, "When Shin Hanul Unit 1 starts commercial operation, the available capacity of nuclear power plants will increase accordingly, enhancing the stability of power supply," adding, "With increased power generation, sales will also rise, leading to higher profits."

KHNP started the initial fuel loading of Shin Hanul Unit 1 on the 14th, following the conditional approval decision by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission. Fuel loading involves placing nuclear fuel into the reactor, and Shin Hanul Unit 1 will be loaded with a total of 241 fuel assemblies. KHNP plans to complete pre-inspections by regulatory authorities and conduct about eight months of trial operation tests before commencing commercial operation in March next year. If Shin Hanul Unit 1 begins commercial operation as scheduled, the number of nuclear reactors operated by KHNP will increase from 24 to 25 units. With the addition of Shin Hanul Unit 1, which has a capacity of 1400 MW, the total installed capacity will rise from 23,250 MW to 24,650 MW.

There were many twists and turns before Shin Hanul Unit 1 received its operating permit. According to the 7th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand established in 2015, commercial operation was initially scheduled for April 2018. However, after the earthquakes in Gyeongju and Pohang that year, the completion date was postponed to reassess site safety reflecting seismic risks.

The Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety began discussions in November last year after the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission’s review, pre-use inspections, and expert committee evaluations, but the ruling party members raised safety concerns, delaying the operating permit again. A total of 15 meetings were held, including 13 operational reports and 2 reviews of the operating permit agenda, before approval was granted. Ultimately, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission issued the operating permit on the 9th, 15 months after completion, with conditions requiring additional measures regarding airplane collision risks and nuclear power plant component safety.

Shin Hanul Unit 1 is the 27th nuclear power plant in South Korea and uses the same APR1400 design exported to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The APR1400, certified by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in 2018, is currently operating at Shin-Kori Units 3 and 4 domestically. Shin Hanul Unit 1 is the first domestic power plant to achieve technological independence through the localization of key equipment such as the Reactor Coolant Pump (RCP) and the Main Control Room Instrumentation and Control System (MMIS).

KHNP plans to conduct about eight months of trial operation tests after completing pre-inspections by regulatory authorities for Shin Hanul Unit 1. During the trial operation period, various tests will be conducted to verify the operation of essential equipment under normal operating temperature and pressure conditions. KHNP expects that once Unit 1 begins commercial operation, it will produce about 23% of the annual electricity consumption in the Gyeongbuk region, contributing to stable energy supply. KHNP President Jung Jae-hoon stated, "We will prioritize safety and carefully increase the plant’s output step by step while thoroughly conducting comprehensive final verification," adding, "We will do our best to ensure stable power supply."