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Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Begins Reactor Site Selection

조선일보 · last updated
The Pan Committee for Autonomous Recruitment of New Nuclear Power Plants in Seosaeng-myeon, Ulju County, Ulsan, holds a press conference at the press center of Ulju County Office on the 29th regarding the government’s plan to construct new nuclear power plants and argues, ‘Seosaeng-myeon is the most reasonably prepared optimal site for new nuclear power plants based on national power security, industrial competitiveness, and the lives of future generations.’ /Yonhap

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) began procedures on the 30th to secure sites for new nuclear reactors—two large-scale reactors (1.4GW each) and one small modular reactor (SMR, 0.7GW)—as outlined in the 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand (Electricity Plan). This follows the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment’s confirmation of the new reactor construction four days prior, after public discussions and opinion surveys.

KHNP posted a public notice on its website that afternoon, announcing a competition to attract candidates for the new reactor sites. The plan aims to complete the two large reactors by 2037–2038 and the SMR by 2035.

Local government heads wishing to host the reactors must submit an application, including consent documents from local councils, support plans, and acceptance guarantees, by March 30.

Graphics by Baek Hyeong-seon

After applications close, KHNP will evaluate candidate sites by June 25 through an external expert committee. Assessments will cover site suitability, environmental impact, construction feasibility, and public acceptance. Results will be announced within a week of the evaluation’s completion.

The site selection committee, established in March last year under the 11th Electricity Plan, reportedly identified at least four potential locations—Gyeongju, Yeongdeok, and Uljin in Gyeongsangbuk-do, and Ulsan’s Ulju County—as having sufficient public acceptance to bid.

Local governments and residents in these areas have already begun aggressive campaigns to attract the reactors. Gyeongsangbuk-do held a kickoff meeting on the 30th for a task force to secure the SMR site in Gyeongju. Yeongdeok plans to launch a countywide citizens’ committee next month, while Ulsan’s Ulju County will conduct a signature campaign involving all 220,000 residents.

Residents believe hosting reactors will boost the local economy. Industry estimates suggest the regions hosting the two new reactors could gain approximately 3.9 trillion Korean won in economic benefits.

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