S. Korea to up reactor employment to 30% of power sourcing in 2030 vs current 27%

[Photo by MK DB]

The new South Korean government will be fully normalizing nuclear reactor activities that had been stalled in the past administration under phase-out policy by upping power sourcing to more than 30 percent by 2030 from 27.4 percent last year.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced Tuesday that the government will resume with construction of Shin Hanul Unit 3 and 4 nuclear reactors and maintain the status quo of reactor capacity if safety is ensured.

As result, reactors will be responsible for 30 percent of power by 2030, upped from 27.4 percent in 2021. The plan has passed the Cabinet meeting, according to the ministry.

The decision officially overturns the previous administration¡¯s policy to phase out from nuclear power generation by retiring aged reactors and ceasing new constructions.

[Photo by MK DB]

To reduce the potential hazard of nuclear waste, the Korean government plans to create a new law for disposing high-level radioactive waste and organize a team exclusively for nuclear waste management under the prime minister.

The overall revised outline including the target for renewables will be detailed in the 10th Basic Plan on Electricity Demand and Supply due in the fourth quarter.

The government will continue to promote phase-out from coal-fired power generation ¡°in reasonable pace¡± in line with power supply conditions and expand the use of carbon-free energy sources. Power grids are to be upgraded to adopt renewable energy sources with new designs for better efficiency.

It will seek creating a special law to reflect changes in energy cost to electricity bills.

[¨Ï Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]