(Dec 30): South Korea’s nuclear regulator approved the start of operations at a reactor that’s been under construction for nearly a decade, even as the government reassesses the long-term role of atomic energy.
The green light for the Saeul number three reactor — announced by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission in a statement on Tuesday (Dec 30) — is the country’s first such new approval in about two years. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co plans to begin commercial operations next year, after a six-month pilot run, Yonhap News Agency reported.
The move comes as South Korea President Lee Jae-myung doubles down on renewable energy, reversing course from the more pro-nuclear stance of his predecessor. The share of renewables in South Korea’s electricity generation will rise to at least 30% by 2035 from 9% last year, according to the nation’s Nationally Determined Contribution, submitted to the United Nations on Friday.
Lee said in September that building more nuclear power plants is not realistic because it takes more than 15 years to construct a new facility from scratch. His government has been more supportive of using reactors that are already online or have started construction. Starting Saeul number three will help South Korea to reduce dependence on overseas shipments of coal and gas.
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