Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power's (KHNP's) APR1000 reactor design has been formally certified as compliant by the European Utility Requirements (EUR) organisation. In November 2019, KHNP, Kepco E&C, Kepco NF, and Doosan Enerbility jointly applied for EUR certification and the assessment began in February 2021.

The EUR organisation was launched in 1991 by several European utilities to produce a common set of utility requirements endorsed by major European utilities for the next generation of light water reactor (LWR) NPPs. It was modelled on the US Electric Power Research Institute's Utility Requirements Document for advanced LWRs. EUR currently has 13 nuclear operator members in 12 European countries.

Design assessment for EUR certification requires at least two EUR members as sponsors. KHNP said it three sponsors and six supporters for the APR1000 standard design assessment. The EUR requirements include assessment of plant layout, systems, materials, components, probabilistic safety assessment methodology and availability. EUR compliance indicates that the reactor design meets a list of requirements set by the utilities. However, regulatory design approval is still required in each country,

The APR1000 assessment was completed in 22 months. KHNP said the speed and smoothness of the process were mainly due to its previous experience with European standards when the company received EUR certification for its APR1400 in November 2017. KHNP submitted a broad range of technical documentation covering 20 areas and about 5000 requirements, and also responded to all the questions posed by the EUR organisation.

"The acquisition of the EUR certificate has significance for nuclear plant export market diversification by realising nuclear designs that can be applied to nuclear plant construction not only in Europe but also in other regions where the European requirement are applicable," KHNP said. "For KHNP, acquisition of the final EUR certificate enhances the possibility of winning orders for nuclear projects in European countries including the ongoing project in the Czech Republic".

The APR1000 is an evolutionary pressurised water reactor (PWR) which has been developed from South Korea’s first standard PWR plant, the OPR1000. The design is intended for overseas markets. It is based on the experience gained during development, construction, and operation of the OPR1000. A total of 12 OPR1000 units have been built and put into operation in South Korea. The APR1000 also utilises the state-of-the-art proven technology and incorporates a number of advanced design features from the larger APR1400.

Image: The APR1000 reactor design (courtesy of KHNP)