Hyundai E&C is cementing its position as a leading builder of nuclear power plants
Hyundai Engineering and Construction (Hyundai E&C) has built 12 of the 20 power plants now in service in Korea since first constructing the Gori Power Plant Unit 1 in 1971, the first nuclear plant in Korea. Hyundai E&C has grown into the world’s most trusted builder of nuclear power plants on the foundation of its 38-year-long experience in nuclear power plant construction.
In particular, Hyundai E&C is the only Korean builder with experience in building both pressurized water reactors (PWR) and pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWR). Hyundai E&C replaced an old steam generator at the Gori Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 and built post-use fuel storage facilities on the foundation of such experiences.
Nuclear power plant construction projects require cutting-edge technologies. However, when the first nuclear power plant in Korea was made, the nation depended totally on foreigners. However, in 1995 Hyundai E&C built the Yeonggwang Power Plants Units 3 and 4 using entirely their own technology. This feat was recognized the following year when Hyundai E&C was awarded the Project of the Year Award from Power Engineering Magazine.
The company has begun building the Gori Nuclear Power Plants Unit 1 and 2 and has been applying new engineering methods to this project. These methods are to decrease warm water’s negative effects on the seas by distributing the water via an underwater tunnel in order to protect the sea. The warm water comes out of nuclear power plants. In particular, the New Gori Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 and 4 will house 1.4-million-kW-class Advanced Power Reactors 1400, which signifies the technological independence of Korean nuclear power plant builders. The New Gori Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 and 4 can generate 400,000 kW more and operate 20 years longer than the Units 1 and 2. The design and construction of Units 3 and 4 boast the world’s highest safety levels and efficiency, and played a key role in landing the UAE nuclear power plant construction project in Korea.
With its participation in the UAE project just beginning, Hyundai E&C is planning to expand its sales and influence in the global nuclear power plant market which is expected to place orders for about 400 nuclear power plants in the future. The company will strive to advance into overseas markets on the basis of its proprietary technologies and strong cooperation with related organizations.
The average global nuclear power plant usage ratio is below 80%, however, that of Korean nuclear power plants currently stands at 93%, clearly highlighting the strong reliability of Korean nuclear power plants. A further strength of Korean nuclear power plants is their economic value. Korean nuclear power plants cost less money and take less time compared to those of their competitors thanks to technological prowess and excellent human resources.
Hyundai E&C is currently planning to make a foray into the new Southeast Asia nuclear power plant market through various activities, such as highlighting the strengths of its excellent nuclear power plant technologies. Furthermore, the contactor is taking part in a joint research project regarding Vietnam’s first nuclear power plant, as well as singing an MOU with a Vietnamese company and participating in a nuclear technology show there.
Furthermore, Indonesia aims to introduce its first nuclear power plant in 2016, with Hyundai E&C scheduled to participate in a joint pre-construction research project. In addition, the company is taking part in a Desalinization Facility Feasibility Study regarding use of the SMART reactor with the IAEA, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute and BATAN of Indonesia. While in Europe, Hyundai E&C is seeking ways to export nuclear power plant construction technologies, such as dispatching engineers to Romania to restart a nuclear power plant there.