The Site Selection Evaluation Committee announced the results of its evaluation on June 17, in accordance with the 11th Basic Plan for Power Supply and Demand. The plan includes the construction of two large nuclear reactors and one demonstration SMR.
In the large nuclear power category, Yeongdeok received a score of 91.01, surpassing Uljin County in Ulsan, which scored 82.63. For the SMR category, Gijang scored 87.11, outperforming Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province, which received 84.56.
Yeongdeok was rated highly for its resident surveys, site suitability, and environmental factors within a 5-kilometer radius. Gijang also received favorable evaluations in resident surveys and site suitability compared to competing regions.
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) initiated the site selection process after finalizing the 11th Basic Plan in February of last year, forming an evaluation committee comprised of external experts. The committee independently established evaluation criteria and conducted assessments.
The application process for site selection began in January, with Yeongdeok and Uljin applying for the large nuclear power category, while Gijang and Gyeongju applied for the SMR category.
After conducting basic site and environmental investigations, on-site inspections, and resident surveys, the committee selected Yeongdeok and Gijang as candidate sites.
The committee stated, "Ensuring stable power supply is essential for national competitiveness and future generations," emphasizing that it aimed to find optimal locations while prioritizing regional coexistence. It also urged KHNP to utilize resident feedback gathered during the survey process in future regional cooperation plans.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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