Kim Hwae-cheon, CEO of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, stated that the company is committed to the timely development of innovative small modular reactor (SMR) technology and is preparing for the construction of the first facility in Busan's Gijang County without delays.
During a report to the National Assembly's Climate Energy Environment Labor Committee on October 19, Kim said, "We will diligently respond to the standard design approval review submitted in February and secure the technological foundation necessary for construction and operation in conjunction with government research and development projects."
He emphasized, "We will faithfully advance preliminary preparations for permits, including geological surveys and site layout plans, at the site confirmed for the first facility in Gijang County."
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power also announced plans to construct new nuclear power plants, SMRs, and pumped storage power plants in a timely manner to meet the increasing future electricity demand driven by AI data centers.
Regarding nuclear power operations, the company aims to establish an AI-based smart operation system to detect anomalies early and support operators in minimizing the risks of unexpected shutdowns and failures.
To prepare for the saturation of spent nuclear fuel storage facilities, the company plans to secure dry storage facilities on the nuclear power plant site in a timely manner while incorporating feedback from local residents to ensure community acceptance.
The company is also expanding its overseas nuclear power projects. For the Czech nuclear project, it plans to carry out initial tasks such as design and permitting on schedule to establish a foundation for subsequent contracts, while managing the target processes for projects in Egypt and Romania according to contractual obligations.
Kim stated, "All employees of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power prioritize safety as the highest value and are dedicated to ensuring stable power supply and achieving carbon neutrality. We will also strive to enhance the competitiveness of our nuclear power industry through collaborative growth with the nuclear sector."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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