S. Korea aims to export 80 nuclear reactors by 2030

SEOUL, Jan. 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korea aims to export 80 nuclear reactors by 2030
as part of its strategy to become one of the top three atomic energy powers in
the world, the government said Wednesday.
The Ministry of Knowledge Economy said in a nuclear energy industry meeting
chaired by President Lee Myung-bak that the country will strive to grab at least
20 percent of the global market share for new reactors in the next 20 years.
To meet this goal, the country must "customize" export strategies to meet the
needs of individual countries, attain full technological self-sufficiency that
can bolster competitiveness, train more engineers and set up arrangements to
ensure steady supply of fuel, it said.
"The plan is based on predictions that nuclear energy has considerable growth
potential on a par with autos, semiconductors and shipbuilding in the coming
years," said Na Ki-yong, head of the ministry's atomic industry division.
He said including the four APR-1400 reactors sold to the United Arab Emirates,
Seoul wants to sign deals to build 10 reactors by 2012.
Foreign sources like the World Nuclear Association predicted that 430 large
reactors may be built worldwide by 2030, while up to 1,000 small- and medium-
sized reactors may be constructed by 2050.
South Korea reported the highest operational rate for its reactors in the world
in 2008, can build its reactors more quickly and more cheaply than rivals
compared to the United States, France, Russia and Japan.
The ministry said it will become totally self-sufficient in the technological
field by 2012. The country has injected 99.6 billion won (US$88.3 million) to
become fully independent of outside support since 2006. Presently the country's
technology level stands at 95 percent of global leaders.
The plan calls for training of 2,800 new nuclear experts by 2011 to meet both
domestic and overseas construction projects and greatly increase the number of
research and development personnel.
It also includes a set of measures to have a stable supply of nuclear fuel.
At present the country's self-sufficiency in uranium-based fuel stands at 6.7
percent of demand, but this is to be raised to 25 percent in 2016 and 50 percent
by 2030.
The ministry said that if the country can sell 80 reactors by 2030, total
benefits could amount to $400 billion or larger than South Korea's total export
volume of $363.8 billion tallied for last year.
The increase may help create 1.56 million new jobs and fuel related sales
reaching 26.7 trillion won.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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