Korea, in order to diversify nuclear reactor types and stably supply electric power, introduced Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) nuclear power plant with the cooperation from AECL (Atomic Energy of Canada Limited). AECL’s CANDU nuclear power plants were applied to Wolsong Units 1–4, and KEPCO E&C, by jointly participating with AECL in A/E and NSSSD, has secured design technology and experience in PHWR nuclear power plants. The design of Wolsong Units 1–4 was performed as various types of joint engineering, such as dispatching the engineers of KEPCO E&C to the AECL headquarters, or directly at the Wolsong construction site. When constructing Wolsong Unit 1, KEPCO E&C’s participation in engineering was at 10% level, but for Wolsong Unit 2, it was at 73%, and for Wolsong Units 3 & 4, it was raised to 81% level, to secure capabilities in engineering technology, in which independent performance of PHWR nuclear power plant is possible.
Overview of Wolsong Units 1–4
- Reactor Type : CANDU-6 type PHWR
- Capacity : 715MW (Wolsong Unit 1: 679MW)
- Design Lifetime : 30 Years
Design Characteristics of CANDU
- Natural uranium has been used as a fuel so the fuel cost is relatively cheap compared to that of Pressurized Water Reactor type nuclear power plants
- It can be refueled even during the normal operation, which has shortened the maintenance period, and plant availability is improved
- The replaceable parts such as nuclear fuel channel can be replaced conveniently, which makes it advantageous to extend the lifetime of nuclear power plants.
CANDU-PHWR System Schematics
