The original licence for the two APR1400 units was due to expire later this week, but the project was suspended in 2017 as part of the country’s nuclear phaseout programme.
Under legislation, if a construction plan is not approved within four years of a licence being granted, the licence can be cancelled. The deadline for Shin-Hanul-3 and -4 project is 26 February, Business Korea reported.
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, a subsidiary of state-owned Korea Electric Power Corporation, had planned to complete construction of the two units in late 2022 and late 2023, but the projects have been suspended because of the South Korean government’s nuclear power phaseout policy.
Construction of Shin-Hanul-1 officially began in July 2012 and of Shin-Hanul-2 in June 2013. Both Units are 1,340-MW APR-1400 pressurised water reactors, a Generation III reactor designed by the Korea Electric Power Corporation.
Business Korea said about $700m has been invested in site and equipment preparation for the two units. It also said Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction has invested more than $440m in components such as turbine generators.
Under a long-term energy plan to lower dependence on fossil fuels and nuclear power, the South Korean government plans to retire 11 out of the country’s 24 commercial nuclear reactors by the end of 2030.
