KHNP Secures Continued Operation Approval for Kori Units 3 and 4, Targets Restart in First Half of 2027

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has been granted regulatory approval to extend the operational lifespan of Kori Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 and 4. This decision enables the reactors to be restarted sequentially in the first half of 2027, following upgrades, maintenance, and safety inspections. KHNP CEO Kim Hoe-cheon revealed the approval on October 27, stating that the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) had granted the necessary operational changes.

Units 3 and 4 of the Kori Nuclear Power Plant, each with a power output of 1,025 MWe, were initially scheduled to operate for 40 years but their licenses expired in September 2024 and August 2025 respectively. Consequently, their operations were halted. However, under South Korea's nuclear regulatory framework, reactors can continue operating beyond their initial license period if they pass a comprehensive safety review.

KHNP submitted its safety assessment report in September 2022 and applied for the approval in November 2023.

Following the approval, KHNP intends to conduct the required safety upgrades and maintenance work. Subsequently, regulatory inspections will be carried out to confirm the reactors' readiness for restart. KHNP aims to bring the two units back online in the first half of 2027, albeit sequentially. While this continued operation of existing nuclear facilities will aid in maintaining South Korea's electricity supply capacity without necessitating the immediate replacement of the reactors, the actual restart schedule hinges on the completion of outstanding work and the results of regulatory inspections.

Kim Hoe-cheon, KHNP's president and CEO, noted that the continued operation of Units 3 and 4 would help address the growing electricity demand from advanced industries like semiconductors and AI. Nuclear power also plays a crucial role in supporting South Korea's carbon-neutrality objectives by providing electricity with relatively low lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil-fuel-based generation.

The extent of the two reactors' contribution will depend on their performance and generation levels after restart.