Changwon Mayor Hong Nam-pyo Actively Welcomes Approval for Construction of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4

"It Will Be an Opportunity for the Regional Nuclear Industry to Make a Comeback"

Nam-pyo Hong, Mayor of Changwon Special City, Gyeongnam, together with the local nuclear power industry, actively welcomed the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission's approval on the 13th for the construction of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4.

Hong Nampyo, Changwon Special Mayor.

Changwon Special City has supported Korea's nuclear power industry as the nation's leading nuclear industrial city, with nuclear companies clustered around Doosan Enerbility, the only domestic manufacturer of main nuclear power plant equipment.

Due to the previous administration's nuclear phase-out policy, the nuclear power industry ecosystem in Changwon was driven to the brink of collapse. However, the current administration's abolition of the phase-out policy and the decision to resume construction of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 have given Changwon's nuclear companies a new lease on life.

The commencement ceremony for the production of main equipment for Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4, held at Doosan Enerbility's Changwon plant in May last year, signaled the revival of the nuclear power industry. The recent construction approval by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission is expected to mark the beginning of a full-fledged revitalization of the industrial ecosystem.

Doosan Enerbility signed a contract worth 2.9 trillion won with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) in March last year to supply main equipment for Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4. Among the approximately 460 partner companies participating in the production, about 120 are based in Changwon.

Prior to the supply contract, Doosan Enerbility placed early orders worth about 45 billion won in 2022, and last year placed early orders worth 220 billion won.

Mayor Hong stated, "We actively welcome the resumption of construction of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4, which symbolizes the restoration of the nuclear power ecosystem. Along with the achievement of winning the Czech nuclear power plant order, this will serve as an opportunity for Changwon's nuclear industry to embrace hope and make a new leap forward. We will do our utmost to provide support so that we can be well-prepared for the upcoming nuclear markets such as SMR and spent nuclear fuel."