S. Korean firm wins Greek research reactor deal

By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, Jan. 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's state-run power engineering company said
Friday that it has been selected as the primary negotiation partner for a 800,000
euro (US$1 million) deal to upgrade a Greek research reactor.
The two-year-long project, to be formally signed next month, aims to improve the
capability of the 5 megawatt GRR-1 reactor operated by NCSR Demokritos, the Korea
Power Engineering Co. (KOPEC) said.
"The effective securing of the deal marks the first time South Korea will be able
to export its advanced reactor design technology," said company president Kwon
Oh-cheol. He stressed that the GRR-1 contract is noteworthy since KOPEC and Korea
Atomic Energy research Institute (KAERI) sidestepped stiff challenges by AREVA of
France and Argentina's INVAP. The latter is currently the world's top builder of
research reactors.
"The deal is testament to the technology and safety level of South Korean
design," the executive claimed.
KOPEC is to provide comprehensive assistance in such areas as replacement of the
primary cooling system and oversight into the fitting out of various control
systems.
KAERI is to help build the reactor core and the safety assessment report plan
that is critical for operations.
South Korea has been operating its 30 megawatt Hanaro reactor since 1995, and is
capable of designing and building large commercial reactors, but has not been
able to secure export deals in the past.
With 20 operational reactors and 12 reactors being built or in the drawing stage,
it currently ranks sixth in terms of power production after the United States,
France, Japan, Russia and Germany.
The company, meanwhile, said that the deal places South Korea in a good position
to win more contracts in the 15-20 trillion won (US$10-14 billion) global
research reactor market.
It said efforts are underway to win the 80 megawatt PALLAS reactor bid in the
Netherlands that may be worth one trillion won.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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