Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has officially launched the APR Owners Group (APROG), an international nuclear power organisation based on the APR reactor design APROG, includes KHNP and Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC), which operates the Barakah NPP in the United Arab Emirates.
The launch ceremony was held at the Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery in Mapo District. It was attended by KHNP Vice President of technology Lee Sang-min and ENEC Chief Operating Officer Saleh Al Shehhi as well as other domestic and international nuclear power officials.
The APR-1400, designed mainly by Korea Engineering Company, is an evolutionary pressurised water reactor based on the CE System 80+ model. The 1400 MWe reactor supersedes the standardised 995 MWe OPR-1000 design, 12 of which operate in South Korea. The APR-1400 has a 60-year design life.
KHNP noted that by establishing APROG it has presented a new model of cooperation among global nuclear power operators that utilise the APR model.
Nuclear power operators form Owners Groups to enhance the safety and efficiency of NPPs by exchanging experience and technical information and bench marking. KHNP is a member of PWROG (pressurised water reactor owners’ group), COG (Candu owners group) and FROG (Framatome owners group), among others.
However, with the establishment of APROG, KHNP said it “has transitioned from merely being a participant in international owners’ groups to owning and leading its own, marking a significant milestone in its global presence in the nuclear power sector”.
KHNP said the group aims to share expertise with member organisations and continuously improve the safety and efficiency of APR reactors. It will also focus on strengthening the global recognition of the APR brand by investing in joint R&D and exploring innovative approaches to operations by integrating cutting-edge technologies. These efforts, it said, will enhance the competitiveness of APR reactors in new-build projects and further solidify its position in the global nuclear market.
Currently, a total of eight APR-1400 units are operating globally, including four in South Korea (Shin Hanul 1&2 and Saeul 1&2) and four at the Barakah NPP in the UAE. Four additional units are under construction in South Korea (Shin Hanul 3&4 and Saeul 3&4). KHNP has also been as the preferred bidder to build up to four new units in the Czech Republic, using APR1000 reactor technology, based on the OPR-1000 with advanced APR features.
