ID :
52770
Sun, 03/29/2009 - 13:18
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/52770
The shortlink copeid
S. Korea aims to export research reactor to the Netherlands
By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, March 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will highlight the proven safety record
and operability of its indigenous research reactor model to secure export orders
from the Netherlands, the government said Sunday.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said efforts are underway to
pitch for sales of its research reactor technology to the European country that
currently operates three units and may opt to build more in the future.
It said Vice Minister Kim Jung-hyun will visit the country this week to explain
in detail the high quality of South Korea's reactor design, manufacturing and
operation prowess.
Kim, who will be in the country on Monday and Tuesday, plans to hold talks with
both government official and civilian experts in the nuclear energy sector.
South Korea, despite being a late starter in the atomic energy field, is one of
the handful of countries that can manufacture its own nuclear reactors with no
outside assistance.
It also operates two research reactors, with the 30 megawatt HANARO unit built in
1995 by state-run Korea Atomic Energy research Institute (KAERI). The smaller
AGN-201 that began operation in 1982 was built by a U.S. company.
"The official will meet with Chris Buijink, vice minister of economic affairs,
and reactor operators from the Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group," said Kim
Dae-ki, head of the ministry's nuclear cooperation division.
The official said the vice minister will propose a nuclear energy cooperation
pact that would expand bilateral cooperation in this field. Views on possible
collaboration in the production of radioactive isotopes would be exchanged, as
well as on efforts by South Korea to pull off eco-friendly growth, aided in part
by its plan to build more nuclear reactors to meet energy needs.
The ministry in charge of the country's atomic energy research and development
said research reactors have the potential to become a 10-25 trillion won
(US$7.4-18.5 billion) market with 40 countries requiring 50 new units.
"There are currently 240 operational units around the world with 65 percent of
them over 30 years old," Kim said. There may be a need for 110 new units by 2025,
but since only the United States, France, Russia and Japan produce their own
reactors, the other 40 countries may have to rely on overseas purchases and
technical cooperation. At present prices a research reactor is worth 200-500
billion won per unit.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, March 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will highlight the proven safety record
and operability of its indigenous research reactor model to secure export orders
from the Netherlands, the government said Sunday.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said efforts are underway to
pitch for sales of its research reactor technology to the European country that
currently operates three units and may opt to build more in the future.
It said Vice Minister Kim Jung-hyun will visit the country this week to explain
in detail the high quality of South Korea's reactor design, manufacturing and
operation prowess.
Kim, who will be in the country on Monday and Tuesday, plans to hold talks with
both government official and civilian experts in the nuclear energy sector.
South Korea, despite being a late starter in the atomic energy field, is one of
the handful of countries that can manufacture its own nuclear reactors with no
outside assistance.
It also operates two research reactors, with the 30 megawatt HANARO unit built in
1995 by state-run Korea Atomic Energy research Institute (KAERI). The smaller
AGN-201 that began operation in 1982 was built by a U.S. company.
"The official will meet with Chris Buijink, vice minister of economic affairs,
and reactor operators from the Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group," said Kim
Dae-ki, head of the ministry's nuclear cooperation division.
The official said the vice minister will propose a nuclear energy cooperation
pact that would expand bilateral cooperation in this field. Views on possible
collaboration in the production of radioactive isotopes would be exchanged, as
well as on efforts by South Korea to pull off eco-friendly growth, aided in part
by its plan to build more nuclear reactors to meet energy needs.
The ministry in charge of the country's atomic energy research and development
said research reactors have the potential to become a 10-25 trillion won
(US$7.4-18.5 billion) market with 40 countries requiring 50 new units.
"There are currently 240 operational units around the world with 65 percent of
them over 30 years old," Kim said. There may be a need for 110 new units by 2025,
but since only the United States, France, Russia and Japan produce their own
reactors, the other 40 countries may have to rely on overseas purchases and
technical cooperation. At present prices a research reactor is worth 200-500
billion won per unit.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
