🚨 K-Nuclear Power: Korea's Nuclear Industry and Global Expansion

Today Korean Social News | 2025.05.08

📌 Czech Nuclear Power Plant Contract Delayed by French Legal Action, Hindering 'K-Nuclear Power'

💬 Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power's contract signing for the Czech Dukovany nuclear power plant has been suspended following an injunction filed by French power company EDF. The Czech court has temporarily halted the contract signing after accepting EDF's application. This case represents an obstacle to Korean nuclear technology's expansion into Europe, signaling increasingly intense competition in the European nuclear market.

Summary

• K-Nuclear Power refers to nuclear power plant models developed with Korea's independent technology.
• Korea possesses world-class competitiveness in nuclear plant construction and operation.
• While actively expanding into overseas markets in Europe and the Middle East, competition remains fierce.

1️⃣ Definition

K-Nuclear Power refers to nuclear power plant models developed with Korea's independent technology and exported overseas. Simply put, it means Korean-style nuclear power plants made with domestic technology and exported globally.

The representative K-Nuclear model is APR1400 (Advanced Power Reactor 1400), a Generation III advanced pressurized water reactor capable of producing 1,400MW of electricity.

💡 Why is it important?

• Nuclear power contributes to stable electricity supply and reduced carbon emissions.
• A single nuclear plant export is worth approximately $4 billion, creating significant economic benefits.
• As a high-value industry, it creates jobs and advances technology.
• It strengthens energy security and diplomatic cooperation.

2️⃣ Characteristics and Competitiveness of K-Nuclear Power

📕 Technical Features of K-Nuclear Power

• K-Nuclear Power excels in safety and economic efficiency. Key features include:

  • APR1400 is a proven model that has obtained design certification from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
  • It has enhanced severe accident response facilities, designed to remain safe even in disasters like the Fukushima accident.
  • It has a 60-year design life and excellent electricity production efficiency.
  • Digital instrumentation and control systems improve operational stability.
  • Standardized design allows shorter construction periods and cost savings.

• Korea's nuclear construction and operation capabilities are world-class. Major competitive advantages include:

  • Korea operates 25 nuclear plants domestically with extensive accumulated operating experience.
  • It has achieved the world's shortest nuclear plant construction period (56 months on average).
  • The nuclear capacity factor exceeds 90%, significantly higher than the global average (about 80%).
  • Korea possesses full life-cycle technology from design and manufacturing to construction, operation, and maintenance.
  • With a localization rate exceeding 95%, most parts and technologies can be sourced domestically.

📕 Global Expansion of K-Nuclear Power

• The Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is Korea's first overseas nuclear export. Key details include:

  • In 2009, Korea signed a contract worth approximately $20 billion.
  • The project involves constructing four APR1400 units, with three currently in commercial operation.
  • Completed on schedule and within budget, proving Korea's technological capability to the world.
  • This made Korea the world's 6th nuclear exporter after the United States, France, Russia, China, and Japan.

• Several countries are currently considering adopting K-Nuclear Power. Major expansion status includes:

  • Czech Republic: Selected as preferred bidder for the Dukovany nuclear project (worth about $6 billion), but the contract has been temporarily suspended due to an injunction filed by France's EDF.
  • Poland: Competing with the United States for the country's first nuclear project.
  • Saudi Arabia: Planning to build 16 nuclear reactors, with Korea actively seeking participation.
  • Exploring export possibilities in Egypt, the Philippines, Romania, and other countries.
  • Developing Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology to pioneer new markets.

Key Issues in K-Nuclear Power's Global Expansion

1. Intensified international competition: Fierce competition with traditional powers like the US, France, Russia, and China.
2. Political and diplomatic factors: Nuclear exports are heavily influenced by diplomatic relations between countries.
3. Financing challenges: Financial support is a crucial competitive factor in nuclear projects requiring massive investments.
4. Technology protection and intellectual property: Issues may arise regarding the protection of core technologies and licensing.
5. Localization requirements: Importing countries increasingly demand participation of local industries.

3️⃣ Global Nuclear Market Trends and Outlook

✅ Current Global Nuclear Market

• Nuclear demand is increasing due to climate change response and energy security concerns. Market conditions include:

  • About 440 nuclear reactors are operating worldwide, with 60 under construction.
  • Projections suggest nuclear power capacity needs to double by 2050 to achieve carbon neutrality.
  • Interest in nuclear energy has increased, especially in Europe, following the Russia-Ukraine war and resulting energy security concerns.
  • Currently, about 50 countries are considering introducing new nuclear power plants.
  • The global nuclear market is expected to reach approximately $800 billion over the next 20 years.

• Major competing countries are strengthening their nuclear export strategies. Competitive landscape includes:

  • United States: Exporting the AP1000 model through Westinghouse with strengthened government support.
  • France: EDF is targeting European and Indian markets with its EPR model.
  • Russia: State-owned Rosatom is securing emerging markets with competitive pricing and comprehensive financial support.
  • China: Developed the Hualong One model and is promoting exports to Belt and Road Initiative countries.
  • Japan: After being set back by the Fukushima accident, recently showing renewed interest in nuclear technology exports.

✅ Future Outlook and Challenges

• New nuclear technology development is actively underway. Technology trends include:

  • Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): Reactors under 300MW that are manufactured in factories and assembled on-site, reducing construction time and costs.
  • Generation IV reactors: Next-generation reactor technologies with improved safety, economic efficiency, and sustainability.
  • Fusion energy: In the long term, commercialized fusion technology could provide nearly unlimited clean energy.
  • Increasing attempts to incorporate advanced technologies such as digital twins and AI-based operating systems into nuclear plants.

• K-Nuclear Power faces future strategies and challenges. Key points include:

  • Technology advancement: Maintaining technological competitiveness through development of APR1400 successor models like APR1000 and APR+.
  • SMR development: Accelerating commercialization of the Korean SMR 'SMART' to pioneer new markets.
  • Strengthening export financing: Government and financial institution support needed for securing large-scale projects.
  • Building international cooperation networks: Enhancing contract possibilities through collaboration with local companies and global partners.
  • Talent development: Securing long-term competitiveness through nuclear professional training.

4️⃣ Related Terms

🔎 Nuclear Power

• Nuclear power generates electricity using energy from nuclear fission.
• Nuclear power is a method of generating electricity by using the energy released when atomic nuclei of nuclear fuel like uranium split, creating steam that drives turbines.
• Key advantages of nuclear power include: first, low greenhouse gas emissions making it beneficial for climate change response; second, high energy efficiency producing large amounts of electricity from small amounts of fuel; third, stable power supply regardless of weather or season.
• Disadvantages include: first, potential for widespread impact in case of accidents; second, need for radioactive waste management; third, very high initial construction costs.
• Korea operates 25 nuclear reactors, providing about 30% of the country's total electricity.

🔎 APR1400

• APR1400 is a Generation III advanced pressurized water reactor developed independently by Korea.
• APR1400 (Advanced Power Reactor 1400) is a Generation III reactor model independently developed by Korea by improving existing reactor designs. With an electrical output of 1,400MW, it can produce enough power for about 1.4 million households.
• Key features include: first, significantly enhanced safety designed to withstand extreme situations like natural disasters or terrorism; second, extended design life of 60 years, 20 years longer than previous plants; third, improved operational efficiency through digital instrumentation and control systems.
• In Korea, APR1400 has been applied to Shin Kori Units 3-4 and Shin Hanul Units 1-2, while internationally it has been used in UAE's Barakah Units 1-4.
• This model received design certification from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in 2019, gaining international recognition for its safety and technology.

🔎 Small Modular Reactor (SMR) (continued)

• Small Modular Reactors are small-scale reactors manufactured in factories and assembled on-site.
• Their smaller size improves safety and makes site selection easier.
• SMRs are expected to create new markets as they can be applied to various locations such as remote areas with weak power grids, islands, industrial complexes, and seawater desalination plants.
• Korea is developing its own SMR called 'SMART' (System-integrated Modular Advanced ReacTor), with research currently ongoing for commercialization.
• Major nuclear powers like the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada are also developing their own SMR models, making this a new area of competition in the future.

5️⃣ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How safe is K-Nuclear Power? Is there any possibility of an accident like Fukushima?

A: K-Nuclear Power has greatly enhanced safety features that reflect lessons learned from the Fukushima accident. The APR1400 is designed to withstand extreme situations such as powerful earthquakes, tsunamis, and aircraft collisions. It features passive safety systems that can safely cool the reactor even during a complete power outage, and has strengthened facilities to minimize radioactive material leakage during severe accidents. Digital instrumentation and control systems have also been introduced to reduce operator errors and enable rapid response in emergency situations. This safety has been verified through design certification from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), known to be among the world's strictest regulators. While no technical system can guarantee absolute safety, K-Nuclear Power is considered one of the safest nuclear plant models currently in existence.

Q: What's happening with the Czech nuclear plant contract? What's the outlook going forward?

A: Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power was selected as the preferred bidder for the Czech Dukovany nuclear project (worth about $6 billion) in 2023, but contract signing was recently suspended after competitor French Electric Power Corporation (EDF) filed an injunction with the Czech court. EDF claims it was unfairly evaluated during the bidding process. The Czech court is currently reviewing the case, and contract signing remains suspended until a final ruling is issued. This situation goes beyond simple corporate competition and also involves competition between nations for influence in the European energy market. The court's decision will be a key variable for future prospects, and the Korean government and KHNP are strengthening legal responses and diplomatic cooperation with the Czech government. Even if this injunction is granted, Korea's technological capabilities and price competitiveness are recognized in the long term, so the possibility of entering the European nuclear market remains high.

Q: Is nuclear power environmentally friendly? How does it compare to renewable energy?

A: The environmental aspects of nuclear power need to be evaluated from multiple perspectives. First, it emits almost no greenhouse gases during power generation, making it advantageous for addressing climate change. The carbon dioxide emissions per unit of electricity production are very low, similar to solar and wind power. Additionally, nuclear power can produce large amounts of electricity in a relatively small area, making it land-efficient. However, environmental impacts from uranium mining and radioactive waste management remain environmental challenges. Compared to renewable energy, renewables have the advantage of requiring no fuel and producing no waste, but they have disadvantages such as weather-dependent power generation and requiring large areas for large-scale production. Nuclear power can provide stable baseload power, complementing the intermittency of renewable energy. Recently, many experts have suggested that an "energy mix" utilizing both renewable energy and nuclear power is necessary to address climate change effectively.