S. Korea to build 31 nuclear reactors, thermal power plants by 2022

SEOUL, Dec. 28 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to build a total of 31 new nuclear
reactors and conventional thermal power plants to meet the steady rise in
domestic energy consumption, the government said Sunday.
The long-term plan reflects a rise in electrical demand that is expected to reach
500.1 billion kilowatt hours (kHh) in 2022, up from 368.6 billion kWh for 2007,
the Ministry of Knowledge Economy said.
It also said 37 trillion won (US$28.3 billion) will be spent starting in 2009 to
increase the country's energy production infrastructure by 32.37 million
kilowatts (kW) to over 100 million kW in 2022. As of last year, the country's
energy production-relation installations reached 65.87 million kW.
The definitive blueprint calls for 12 new nuclear reactors, seven coal-fired and
11 liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fired thermal power plants to be constructed in
the next 14 years. It also outlines the building of one oil-fired power unit and
provisions for clean, reusable energy generation.
The 12 nuclear reactors, which include eight under construction, are expected to
boost power output by 15.20 million kW by the target year and raise the
percentage of atomic energy power production infrastructure to 48 percent of
total capacity from 33 percent at present. The country currently has 20 nuclear
reactors.
The ministry added that while more coal, LNG and oil-fired power plants are to be
built, the overall contribution of these units to the country's energy needs will
be reduced in the coming years to cut greenhouse gas output.
Power generation accounts for 28 percent of the country's greenhouse gas output.
Reducing greenhouse gases is expected to take on greater importance as Seoul
comes under pressure to join other industrialized countries that have pledged to
actively fight global warming.
South Korea is currently not obliged to cut greenhouse gases as a Non-Annex 1
member of the Kyoto Protocol.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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