It has been confirmed that Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Corporation (KHNP) has authorized Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction to start production of nuclear reactors of the Shin-hanul nuclear power plant units 3&4, before the official contract, the Munhwa Ilbo reported on Sept. 4.
However, as the project amounting to at least 320 billion won faces the crisis of the nullification owing to the Moon Jae-in government's nuclear phase-out policy, KHNP is showing an attitude of "not knowing" about the cost.
KHNP has also been criticized for violating the contract by requesting KEPCO Engineering & Construction Co. which took the design service for the Shin-hanul nuclear power plant units 3&4 to suspend the design service without any reasonable reason before the emergence of the nuclear phase-out policy.
According to data received by Rep. Kwak Dae-hoon of the Liberty Korea Party from KHNP, Dooan Heavy and KEPCO Engineering & Construction on Oct. 4, KHNP approved the project on Nov. 26, the following day after receiving a request from Doosan Heavy for approval to start the project before signing the contract for the reactors of the Shin-hanul nuclear power plant units 3&4.
KHNP applied to the Nuclear Safety Commission on Jan. 18, 2016 for the construction permit of the Shin-hanul nuclear power plant units 3&4.
KHNP hurried up to meet the completion (2022) in keeping with the 7th power demand and supply basic plan, but the project faced the situation of nullification owing to the Moon Jae-in government's nuclear phase-out policy. Now, it has kept a position of not paying due cost to Doosan Heavy.
As a result, lawsuits by both sides are inevitable. "KHNP asked Doosan Heavy to produce main equipment when the construction permit is not granted, but it is now trying to pass over the cost to the company under the nullification situation," Rep. Kwak said.