Park Sang-wook, presidential secretary for science and expertise, speaks throughout a press briefing held on the presidential workplace on Sept. 26. (Yonhap)
South Korea will embrace a plan to construct 4 small modular reactors (SMRs) within the upcoming primary vitality plan to be introduced later this yr, a senior presidential aide mentioned Sunday.
Park Sang-wook, presidential secretary for science and expertise, mentioned in an interview with public broadcaster KBS that the SMRs can be mirrored within the eleventh primary plan for electrical energy provide and demand.
SMRs are ready-to-install modular reactors which might be smaller in dimension and energy output in contrast with conventional nuclear reactors, permitting for extra versatile and scalable deployment.
“To realize the output equal to 1 massive nuclear energy plant, we have to group collectively about 4 SMRs, every with a producing capability starting from 170 megawatts to 350 megawatts,” Park mentioned throughout the interview.
Park highlighted SMRs as a next-generation development driver and a key export product, expressing hope for bipartisan help for his or her inclusion within the upcoming vitality plan.
“On this regard, there needs to be no division between the ruling and opposition events,” he mentioned.
He assessed that South Korea’s SMR capabilities rank among the many high three on this planet, whereas its massive nuclear energy crops are thought-about “high” globally when factoring in expertise, development capabilities, and operational efficiency, notably by the state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Energy.
Since SMRs are nonetheless within the early levels of growth, Park emphasised the significance of advancing associated expertise whereas concurrently establishing licensing standards.
“We’re intensifying our efforts to develop a Korean-style SMR and guarantee well timed licensing by increasing our pool of specialised personnel,” he mentioned. (Yonhap)