Selected as preliminary operator of the Saudi nuclear power plant in Korea

South Korea was chosen as a preliminary construction company for the Saudi nuclear power plant. Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), the main operator, announced on January 1 that it had been officially informed that it had been selected as a preliminary operator by Saudi Nuclear Power Renewable Energy (KACARE) . In 2030, Saudi Arabia selected operators to build two nuclear power plants of 1.4 GW. This is the beginning of a long-term project to build a 17.6 GW nuclear power plant by 2040.

The Saudi government originally planned to announce two or three reserve providers in May. On May 4, Khalid Al-sai, Saudi Minister of Mines and Energy of the Ministry of Energy and Industry, visited the city and the atmosphere was good. But for no apparent reason, the choice of a reserve carrier was delayed by almost two months. It is said that the news was delivered when the possibility of a business bankruptcy came.

The first door has pbaded, but the end result is difficult to predict. Saudi Arabia has selected the five participating countries (Korea, US, France, China and Russia) as potential suppliers. It is different from the expectation that he will select the final operator after reducing it to two or three countries. "Saudi Arabia does not have a clear explanation, but it seems to be a strategy to maximize bargaining power," said an official at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Industry. of Energy.

In terms of Korea, the Saudi nuclear power plant is significant. The first nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the first nuclear power plant built abroad by Korea in March, has been completed. Also at the end of last year, he was selected as the preferred bidder to take a stake in New Zegen, a Mooreside NPP operator. If Saudi won, it will be a stepping stone for advanced nuclear power plants.

It is also a question of survival in the industry. While the government is advancing the nuclear power plant and the construction of six new nuclear power plants, the nuclear industry is concerned about the collapse of the ecosystem. The government is looking for a way to export nuclear power plants. However, with the exception of the Saudi nuclear power plant, there are no overseas nuclear power plants in which Korea can immediately obtain orders. Czechoslovakia and Poland, but the Czech Republic, which has the fastest pace, will be selected next year. If the Saudi nuclear power plant is clean, it means that the government's idea of ​​supporting the export of nuclear energy can be shaken.

The Ministry of Industry decided to open a "Joint Strategic Export Strategy Nuclear" Public-Private May 2, KEPCO, KHNP, and Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction. He will review support measures for final orders for the Saudi nuclear power plant and discuss future plans for the Saudi nuclear power plant. Baek Woon-kyu, the Minister of Industry, said: "We will actively use the experience and know-how of the UAE nuclear power plant in the past,

Sejong = Jang Won reporter -seok [email protected]