Keeping power plants working

Shin Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant No. 1 has gone out of order less than a month after starting commercial operations. The plant was loaded with fuel in December last year and underwent a test run in phases before going online July 31 this year. It was stopped, however, due to an abnormal condition in its control mechanism that regulates output 19 days after its commercial debut. Since electricity demand in Korea peaks from the third week of August to the end of the month, when summer vacation ends, alarms have been set off in domestic power supply due to the plant`s suspension. The facility supplies 1 million kilowatts of electricity.

A nuclear reactor, which is comprised of two million parts and facilities, cannot operate even if a single part malfunctions. Disorder at the Shin Wolseong plant, which is a cutting-edge model, erupted because authorities failed to detect all possible defects in the test runs. Nuclear power provides 34 percent of Korea’s overall demand. The situation should make the country wary of blackouts even if just one of its 23 nuclear plants stops operating in the peak demand season.

Korea habitually gets antsy over power supply every summer because of a low electricity reserve ratio. Japan has had no emergencies in power supply even if just two of its 54 nuclear reactors are running because of its high electricity reserve ratio and power conservation. It is increasingly difficult to build more nuclear power plants due to increased social antipathy against atomic power following the accident at the Fukushima power plant in Japan last year. Korea cannot construct additional coal-powered plants either, which collectively supply 40 percent of domestic power output, due to CO2 emissions. Shale gas, which has emerged as a new energy source, is cheap and generates little carbon dioxide, but will take a considerable time before introduction.

Korea has no choice but to run its power plants at full capacity and conserve energy in summer. It should remain vigilant until after September, through which electricity demand for air conditioning will remain strong. Last year’s massive blackout occurred Sept. 15. Korea needs a stable power supply structure by diversifying fuel sources for power generation as well a policy to manage demand in peak season. In the era of climate change, another need is an energy mix in which the portion of fuels emitting less carbon dioxide increases. Korea must also introduce competition in the power industry and thus galvanize participation by the private sector.

Nuclear reactors are being operated under a system in which a breakdown or accident should be immediately reported to a higher chain of command and regulators. The accident that occurred at Gori Nuclear Power Plant No. 1 in February grew more serious and caused public distrust because the operator failed to report it to the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety and Nuclear Safety and Security Commission. Losses from the non-operation of the plant has reached 100 billion won (88 million dollars) over the past six months. The accident at the Shin Wolseong plant was thankfully reported immediately, but authorities should thoroughly inspect and manage the facility, which cost more than 2 trillion won (1.76 billion dollars) to build, to ensure that it keeps working in the peak electricity demand season.