Gyeongnam Governor Park Wansu Discusses Next-Generation Nuclear Power Plant Design and Manufacturing Technology with Korea Electric Power Technology

CEO Kim Seong-am: "Gyeongnam Province is a key player in nuclear power plant manufacturing, actively cooperating"

On the 11th, Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, met with Kim Seong-am, CEO of Korea Electric Power Technology Corporation, at the provincial office to share insights on the development of the nuclear power industry.

According to Gyeongnam Province, since its establishment in 1975, Korea Electric Power Technology Corporation has its headquarters in Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk, and is the only domestic engineering public enterprise possessing world-class technology related to energy, including the design of nuclear and thermal power plants.

In 1987, it achieved self-reliance in comprehensive nuclear power plant design technology through Hanbit Units 3 and 4, subsequently completed the comprehensive design of Hanul Units 3 and 4, developed the Korean standard nuclear power plant model OPR1000, and also created the third-generation nuclear power plant model APR1400.

Currently, it is conducting technology development aiming to obtain design approval by 2030 for the BANDI-60S, a 60MW-class offshore floating small modular reactor.

Governor Park and CEO Kim discussed mutual cooperation plans between the two organizations regarding design for the development of the nuclear power industry and the manufacturing sector, which is a strength of Gyeongnam Province.

Governor Park said, “Gyeongnam is the center of the nuclear power manufacturing sector, where nuclear power cooperation companies, including Doosan Enerbility, the only domestic producer of main nuclear power equipment, are concentrated. The nuclear power ecosystem is regaining vitality with the commencement of main equipment production for Shin-Hanul Units 3 and 4 next week.”

He explained, “Last March, Gyeongnam was selected as a candidate site for a new national industrial complex for defense and nuclear convergence, laying the foundation for the regional economy’s resurgence.”

He also added, “Doosan Enerbility has already started manufacturing after securing an order for small modular reactors (SMR) from the U.S. NuScale Power, and Samsung Heavy Industries signed a business agreement with Denmark’s Seaborg to develop and commercialize floating power generation facilities applying molten salt reactors (MSR). They are responding swiftly to next-generation nuclear power industries, including SMR and MSR.”

Gyeongnam Governor Park Wan-su (right) met with Kim Seong-am, CEO of Korea Electric Power Technology, to discuss the development of the nuclear power industry.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]

Governor Park emphasized the need for design and manufacturing-related technology exchange and cooperation for next-generation nuclear power industries with Korea Electric Power Technology Corporation.

He also requested interest and cooperation to ensure that the innovative manufacturing technology development project necessary for producing next-generation nuclear power plants such as SMRs, which Gyeongnam Province is preparing, is selected as a government preliminary feasibility study project.

He asked Korea Electric Power Technology Corporation to participate in the memorandum of understanding (MOU) for fostering a global manufacturing hub in the next-generation nuclear power field (SMR, MSR), which is being discussed with Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea Nuclear Industry Association, Doosan Enerbility, Hyosung Heavy Industries, Samsung Heavy Industries, and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering.

In response, CEO Kim said, “Even if the design of innovative small modular reactors and floating reactors is done by Korea Electric Power Technology Corporation, Seaborg, or others, the manufacturing must be done in Gyeongnam. Korea Electric Power Technology Corporation is the only company in the world capable of detailed design, including conceptual design and specification design for nuclear power plants. Therefore, if Korea Electric Power Technology Corporation’s design technology and Gyeongnam’s manufacturing-related technologies, such as those of Doosan Enerbility, are combined, it can create great synergy.”

He added, “Korea Electric Power Technology Corporation also hopes for active cooperation with Gyeongnam Province and will actively review the matters requested by Gyeongnam.”