There is constant noise in the recent nuclear power plant policy, such as an audit of the early closure of Wolseong Unit 1, a prosecution investigation, and controversy over North Korea’s nuclear power plant support. Inside and outside the nuclear power plant industry, this situation is assessed as a side effect of pushing government policies. Experts agreed that the direction and speed of overall nuclear power and energy policy should be reviewed once again.
Ignoring the procedure, the naked face of the post-nuclear policy
The’Murisu’ policy of leaving nuclear power was revealed in the document’Promotion Plan for Nuclear Power Plant Construction in North Korea’ released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on the 1st.
A plan to utilize Shinhanul Units 3 and 4 contained in the’North Korean Nuclear Power Plant Construction Promotion Direction Document’ released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on the 1st. The Ministry of Industry said that the document was ″made in-house for an idea and closed″. Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
Looking at the North Korean power support plan proposed in the document as the 3rd plan, the passage says, “Build a blank Shinhanul 3·4, but supply electricity by connecting the power grid with North Korea in the east coast area.” Even though it is only an internal document, at least the Ministry of Industry has already evaluated the project as “blanked”.
Although the Ministry of Industry and Industry excluded them from the 8th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand, Shinhanul Units 3 and 4 are a’progressive’ project that has not revoked the power generation business permit yet. In particular, astronomical money is spent on land purchase and pre-production of main equipment, which is directly linked to the survival of related industries. If it is said to be canceled, a plan for compensation for damages must also be prepared. Concerned about compensation and legal liability for the actual cancellation, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power has recently requested an extension of the power generation business license, which ends on the 27th, to the Ministry of Industry.
Shinhanul nuclear power plant construction site in Buk-myeon, Uljin-gun, Gyeongbuk. Uljin = Reporter Kim Jeong-seok
However, the Ministry of Industry said that the project was “blanked” and even came up with a ridiculous idea of recycling it in the North Korean economic cooperation project.
Seoul National University’s nuclear engineering professor Joo Han-gyu said, “To cancel, you must have a legitimate basis for cancellation, make compensation for damage, and go through procedures such as the KHNP Board of Directors.” He pointed out that you should not do it in a way that you see and do it yourself.”
Even before the board of directors, “Immediately shut down Wolseong Unit 1”
Officials from the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Workers’ Union are calling out slogans calling for the government to stop energy conversion policies, including the immediate resumption of the construction of Shin Hanul 3 and 4 units in front of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Sejong City Government Complex. yunhap news
The policy of disregarding the procedure before the nuclear power plant is also shown in the audit report of the Auditor’s’Checking the feasibility of the decision to close early Wolseong Unit 1.
According to the report, in April 2018, former Minister of Industry, Baek Un-gyu, instructed Director A, who was then the head of the department in charge, to “reconsider the immediate shutdown of Wolseong Unit 1”.
When Director A reported that it had to be operated until approved by the Nuclear Safety Commission, he rebuked it and ordered the shutdown. The KHNP board of directors, which has the most important authority for early closure, has not yet been held.
Afterwards, the Ministry of Industry called KHNP officials the next day and informed them that “I will report to the presidential secretary office as a plan to immediately stop the operation”, and accordingly, reduced the economic evaluation.
“Carbon Neutral·Future Industry Consideration”
Experts advise that even now, we need to revisit the direction and speed of the nuclear power plant policy. It is necessary to openly disclose and publicize the possibility of an increase in electricity rates and the unstable power supply and demand problems caused by the nuclear power plant.
In addition, he points out that it is necessary to decide how to take the future of nuclear power plants in consideration of the carbon neutrality promoted by the government and the increase in electricity demand due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Professor Jeong Yong-hoon of KAIST said, “With the introduction of electric vehicles and carbon-neutral technology, electricity demand is expected to be at least twice as much in the future.” “We can do these things except for nuclear power plants that can supply stable electricity without carbon for 24 hours. If so, it is not a policy, it is just a declaration.”
Sejong = Reporter Kim Namjun [email protected]