New Nuclear Plant 'Saewool Unit 3' to Begin Operations Next August... KHNP Obtains Operating License

"Beyond Safety, Becoming a Trusted Nuclear Power Plant"

The Saewool Unit 3 nuclear power plant, which uses the Advanced Power Reactor 1400 (APR1400) design, is scheduled to begin operations in August next year.

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) announced on December 30 that Saewool Unit 3 at the Saewool Nuclear Power Plant in Ulju-gun, Ulsan, has received an operating license from the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission.

Saewool Unit 3 obtained its operating license by meeting all safety verification requirements and passing rigorous reviews by regulatory authorities from the design and construction stages. This marks the entry into the final phase toward full-scale commercial operation.

Saewool Units 3 and 4.

Saewool Unit 3, based on the APR1400 model, has significantly enhanced safety features, including a design that considers aircraft collisions and improved seismic performance by incorporating the latest technical standards. Following the issuance of the operating license, KHNP plans to begin fuel loading and conduct various performance tests, such as power ascension testing and simplified maintenance, over the next eight months, with commercial operation set to begin in August next year.

The construction of Saewool Unit 3 was a large-scale national project involving approximately 760 companies, a cumulative workforce of about 7.5 million people, and up to 4,000 workers per day at its peak. The project not only created jobs during construction but also stimulated production across related industries, including equipment manufacturing, construction, and maintenance. Notably, over the 60-year operational period, ongoing employment is expected, with around 2 trillion won to be invested through statutory support funds and local taxes, playing a significant role in revitalizing the local economy.

Saewool Unit 3 has an installed capacity of 1.4 million kW. Once it enters commercial operation, it will supply about 1.7% of the nation’s total power generation and approximately 37% of Ulsan’s electricity demand.

Jeon Daewook, Acting President and CEO of KHNP, stated, "We will prioritize safety and quality to ensure that Saewool Unit 3 can reliably generate electricity, conducting thorough commissioning and inspections," adding, "KHNP will do its utmost to provide clean electricity."