한국전력기술

KEPCO E&C signed a technology transfer contract with E.ON Technologies (E.ON) of Germany, and it is set to acquire core technology competence in order to make inroads into the nuclear power plant decommissioning markets in Korea and overseas.

 

The agreement is the first step toward the bilateral cooperation between the two companies, and KEPCO E&C is set to receive professional knowledge on decommissioning plus technology and experience concerning decommissioning processes.

 

The agreement calls for, among others, intensive workshop provided by decommissioning experts from E.ON, on-site hands-on training in Germany on major core technologies, hands-on training on decommissioning, and transfer of technical materials on core decommissioning technology.

 

E.ON is the largest power company in Germany, posting 140 trillion won in annual sales in 2014. The German firm owns 17 nuclear power plants in Germany and Sweden.

 

Among these, E.ON completed the decommissioning of nuclear plants in Würgassen and Stade; it only needs to perform land flattening work in the property.

 

Since plans are being established to decommission Isar unit 1 whose operation already ended completely and Grafenheinfeld whose operation will completely halt by the end of 2015, E.ON  is expected to transfer to KEPCO E&C its firsthand experience in the decommissioning of nuclear plants and give the latter potential opportunities to participate in projects.

 

The technology transfer agreement is significant since it is the first case wherein KEPCO E&C is receiving practical technology from a foreign company with experience in decommissioning, as Korea prepares for the decommissioning of nuclear plants in the country in earnest.

Additionally, KEPCO E&C is expected to secure capability to execute on its own the decommissioning of Kori unit 1 as the pending task of the Korean nuclear industry.

Through the technology transfer process, KEPCO E&C plans to acquire preemptively advanced decommissioning technology and materials on project experience while stepping up efforts to develop technology on its own.