http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/89481-s-korean-nuclear-reactor-shuts-down
S. Korean Nuclear Reactor Shuts Down
A South Korean nuclear reactor shut down Friday after a technical malfunction, operators said, at a time when the government is already warning of serious power shortages because multiple reactors are offline.
The state-run Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) said an investigation was underway to confirm the precise cause but added there was no immediate safety threat.
The incident occurred at the Hanwool Nuclear Power Plant in Uljin County on South Korea's eastern coast.
At proper capacity, South Korea's nuclear reactors supply more than 35 percent of the country's electricity needs.
But nine of 23 reactors are currently offline for multiple reasons, including a scandal involving parts provided with fake safety certificates.
State prosecutors have launched an extensive probe into the fraud which forced the shutdown of two reactors in May and delayed the scheduled start of operations at two more.
Last year, officials said eight suppliers were found to have faked warranties covering thousands of items used in a number of reactors.
South Korea's nuclear sector has been dogged by a series of malfunctions, forced shutdowns and corruption scandals that have undermined public confidence already shaken by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan.
Despite increasing public concern, the government has vowed to push ahead with its nuclear power program and plans to build an additional 16 reactors by 2030.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-10/south-korea-approves-nuclear-reactor-restart-as-shortage-looms.html
South Korea Approves Nuclear Reactor Restart as Shortage Looms
By Heesu Lee - Jun 10, 2013 1:30 AM ET
South Korea, facing its worst power shortage, approved the resumption of a nuclear reactor shut down for almost eight months due to faulty safety equipment.
The Hanbit No. 3 reactor, on South Korea’s west coast, will restart today and reach its full 1,000-megawatt capacity by June 13, Chang Won, deputy director at the country’s Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, said by phone. The reactor has been offline since October after cracks were found in a control rod, Chang said.
The world’s fourth-biggest nuclear power producer last year may face “unprecedented” power shortages this summer after shutting down two reactors and delaying the start of operations at another last month, according to Vice Minister for Energy Han Jin Hyun. The restart of Hanbit No. 3 will mean 14 of the country’s 23 reactors are in operation.
The Shin-Kori No. 2 and Shin-Wolsong No. 1 reactors will be offline for about four months to replace control cables supplied under fake quality warranties, the Energy Ministry said on May 28. The government also ordered the replacement of cables at the Shin-Kori No. 1 reactor, which is shut for regular maintenance, and at the new Shin-Wolsong No. 2 plant, which is in review before commencing operations.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/28/us-nuclear-korea-idUSBRE94R06T20130528
SEOUL |
(Reuters) - South Korea said on Tuesday it was suspending the operations of two nuclear powerreactors and extended a shutdown of a third to replace cables that were supplied using fake certificates, threatening power shortages in Asia's fourth-biggest economy.
The government warned there could be "unprecedented" electricity shortages and rolling blackouts this summer due to the nuclear shutdowns. South Korea previously halted the operations of some of its 23 reactors last November after a scandal emerged over parts being supplied using fake documents.
The Asian country is heavily dependent on oil, gas and coal imports, but usually gets about a third of its electricity from nuclear power generation.
"This is a separate case from the last investigation," said Kim Kyun-seop, president & CEO of Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co Ltd, which runs nuclear reactors in South Korea and is owned by state-run utility Korea Electric Power Corp.
The new case relates to forged documents on cables worth 6 billion won ($5.35 million) provided in 2008, Kim and energy ministry officials said, declining to identify the cable producers.
The reactors, which each have a capacity of 1,000 megawatts (MW), would remain closed for about four months, the government said.
Of the three reactors, two are in Kori, about 320 km southeast of the capital Seoul, and one is in Wolsong, about 280 km from Seoul, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission said.
A fourth newly built nuclear power reactor, also in Wolsong, which is waiting for operational approval, would also have its cable replaced, the statement added.
The emergence of a new scandal will be damaging for authorities and South Korean President Park Geun-hye pledged at a cabinet meeting a thorough investigation.
The energy ministry said it would ask the international nuclear safety evaluation body Tuv Sud to include the latest case in a review of safety at all reactors, which started this week.
UNPRECEDENTED POWER SHORTAGE
The nuclear problems could increase the risk of power shortages in the hot Korean summer when power demand is seasonally high for air conditioning.
The energy ministry warned the worst shortages could occur in August, and it would consider various measures including rolling blackouts and spreading out holidays to curb demand.
"We expect unprecedented supply shortage this summer as we have to meet power demand while three reactors are halted," said Han Jin-hyun, Vice Minister for Trade, Industry and Energy.
He added power saving measures would be unveiled this Friday.
The energy ministry sees power supply this summer at about 77,000 MW, less than 80,000 MW projected before the closure and short of demand projection of 79,000 MW.
Last year, South Korea was forced to take power saving measures to avoid blackouts after it closed two reactors to replace parts supplied with fake certificates and extended the shutdown of another reactor where microscopic cracks were found.
