The U.S. nuclear regulatory authority said that the design of the Korea-type nuclear power plant APR1400 is safe. As a result, Korea's nuclear power plant is expected to be more competitive in U.S. exports.
Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Corporation (KHNP) announced on Oct. 4 that it received a standard design approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on the APR1400.
NRC plans to issue a design certificate for the KHNP standard design by May 2019 after holding public hearings and legalization processes. Nuclear power plant design certification demonstrates the safety of 'standard design' applied to the whole nuclear power plant.
If it is certified as standard design safety, it is only necessary to review the safety of areas that reflect the characteristics of construction sites, excluding the standard design, in case of constructing nuclear power plants in the U.S.
As a result, KHNP expects to gain the upper hand in entering the U.S. market due to the reduction in construction and operation permit periods and costs.
Since the U.S. and the global nuclear power industry recognize it as a reliable technological indicator, the overall exports of nuclear power plants can be strengthened. Design certification is valid for 15 years and can be extended for up to 15 years.
KHNP applied to NRC for design certification of APR1400 standard design on Dec. 23, 2014. APR1400 is a 1,400MW pressurized light-water reactor developed by South Korea's technology.
