SK Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd. (SK E&C) said November 3 that it would complete the loading of fuel into the core of Shin Kori Unit 3, which is under construction, within this week and begin commissioning tests.
Shin Kori Unit 3, the 25th nuclear reactor in South Korea, is the largest (1400MW) unit that features the country's first APR-1400 reactor (an advanced light water nuclear reactor nuclear reactor developed with homegrown technologies ).
According to plant owner Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP), a subsidiary of the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), the loading of 241 fuel assemblies into the reactor is scheduled to be complete within this week and then commissioning tests will be conducted, including hot functional tests (HFT) and performance tests.
It is the first time in the world that fuel loading nears completion at a third-generation, cutting-edge nuclear reactor boasting greater safety and economic efficiency.
Commissioning tests will be carried out for 7 months until May next year. And then Shin Kori Unit 3 is expected to enter commercial operation in mid-2016.
In 2003, SK E&C had started participating in the construction of Shin Kori Units 1 and 2 and has been taking part in the construction of Shin Kori Units 3 and 4 (both featuring the APR-1400) and Shin-hanul Nuclear Power Plant Units 1 & 2. In March, SK E&C won a deal to install underwater intake/outfall pipelines for Shin Kori Units 5 and 6.
“We will also take the initative in exporting South Korea’s world-class nuclear power technology to overseas markets,” said an official from SK E&C.
