Current status of SFR Technology Development at KAERI

The first Korean commercial nuclear power plant, Kori unit 1, started its operation in 1978. As of December 2007, 16 PWRs and 4 PHWRs are in operation. The electricity generation capacity of the current nuclear power plants is 17.7 GWe which occupies about 26% of the total installed capacity. These nuclear power plants generated 143 TWh of electricity in 2007, accounting for 35% of the total electricity generation. According to the 'The Third Basic Plan for Long-term Electricity Supply and Demand', 8 new nuclear power units will be constructed by 2020, including the 4 OPR1000s currently under construction and the 4 APR1400s preparation for construction. Thus, the nuclear power capacity and nuclear electricity generation share will reach 29.0% and 43,4%, respectively, by 2020. With a continuous expansion of the nuclear power capacity, overall PWR spent fuel storage capacity is foreseen to be saturated by 2016, even after expansion of spent fuel storage pools at each nuclear power site. In addition, it is difficult to decide a waste disposal site from the viewpoint of public acceptance. The radioactive waste disposal is an impending challenge in Korea