Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power said the initial pouring of concrete for the foundation began on 29 May. Construction permits for Shin Hanul units 3 and 4 – APR1400 units – were issued in September 2024, with first concrete poured for unit 3 in May 2025.
Kim Hoe-cheon, KHNP President, said: “Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 are a solid foundation that will support Korea’s energy future, just like the concrete being constructed now. Let us build world-class nuclear power plants with safety as our top priority, with a sense of mission to contribute to achieving the national carbon neutrality goal.”
KHNP said that Shin Hanul 4 is targeted for completion in 2033, with unit 3 scehduled for operation a year earlier. Once both units are completed it says they are expected to supply 46% of the annual power requirements of the Gyeongbuk region.
Background
In November 2014, KHNP signed an agreement with Ulchin County to build Shin Hanul 3 and 4. The company applied for a construction licence for the units in January 2016. Site preparation for the two units was originally scheduled to begin in May 2017, with commercial operation of unit 3 scheduled for December 2022, with unit 4 following a year later.
However, KHNP announced in May 2017 that it had instructed Kepco Engineering & Construction – which signed a design contract in March 2016 – to suspend work for the planned units as a result of the then new President Moon Jae-in’s policy of phasing out nuclear power. Work towards licensing the new units continued.
President Yoon Seok-yeol – who assumed power in May 2022 – reversed the former president’s policy of phasing out nuclear power. Preparatory groundwork began for the construction of the two APR1400s following the approval by the South Korean government of the project’s implementation plan in June 2023. This effectively approved 20 licensing and permitting procedures under the jurisdiction of 11 ministries required for the construction of nuclear power plants.
In March 2023, KHNP and Doosan Enerbility signed a KRW2.9 trillion (USD2.2 billion) contract for the supply of the main equipment for Shin Hanul 3 and 4. Under the contract – which will run for 10 years – Doosan Enerbility will supply the nuclear reactors, steam generators and turbine generators for the two APR1400 units.
South Korea has four operational APR1400 units – Saeul units 1 and 2 (formerly Shin Kori 3 and 4) and Shin Hanul units 1 and 2. Two further APR1400s are under construction as Saeul units 3 and 4. Four APR1400 units have also been built at the Barakah nuclear power plant in the UAE, which are all now in commercial operation.
