By Jhoo Dong-chan
The Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) said Monday that its European version of the APR1400 nuclear reactor design has been approved by the European Utility Requirements (EUR).
The EUR is a technical advisory group for European utilities on nuclear power plants, and its approval is expected to expand KHNP’s overseas market.
KHNP has built its nuclear reactors under the APR1400 design in Korea as well as in a number of foreign countries including the UAE, and the changes modify how the APR 1400 cools itself in the event of an emergency.
The EU-APR, the modified version for the European market will enable KHNP to enter into not only European countries but also major African countries such as Egypt and South Africa.
“The approval of the KHNP EU-APR nuclear reactor design proves its excellence in the nation’s nuclear technology, and has improved the brand quality of Korean nuclear reactors,” KHNP President and CEO Lee Kwan-seop said.
“KHNP will do its best to successfully land in the market through strategic partnerships with nuclear operators.”
Due to raising safety concerns, the Korean government has taken various measures to reduce its dependence on nuclear power, and the nation’s state-run nuclear operator has since diversified its overseas markets to sell its nuclear reactors.
Thanks to the approval, KHNP is expected to be eligible to participate in nuclear power projects in Europe as well as countries using EUR standards such as Egypt.
Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Paik Un-gyu said he would support the country’s nuclear export business even as the country plans to phase out its use of nuclear power.
KHNP operates the nation’s 24 nuclear power plants.