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IAEA Deputy Director General Yuri Sokolov pays a visit to Korea
Giving a special lecture on future prospects of nuclear power industry
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Mr. Yuri Sokolov, Head of the Department of Nuclear Energy and Deputy Director General of the IAEA, paid a visit to Korea to attend at the 30th Anniversary Symposium of Korean Nuclear Power Generation held on June 9.
At the symposium, held ahead of the ceremony, he gave a special lecture and delivered his statement on the Future Prospects of the World’s Nuclear Industry.
Mr. Yuri Sokolov, expressing his optimistic view of the nuclear industry’s future, said, "The nuclear industry now faces new opportunities amid changes in the energy-related environment, such as an increase in demand for energy, climate changes and countries’ efforts to reinforce their positions in energy security. It is expected that about 300. |
Nuclear Power Plants will be built worldwide by 2030". He also remarked that the experience gained over the past decades in energy planning for sustainable development, as well as in the construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants will be crucial to help newcomers in the nuclear field. |
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He added, saying, "Both nuclear facilities and human resources are aging. So, human resources should be replenished for sustainable development. The IAEA is making efforts to encourage talented young people to enter the industry. For this, international cooperation should be reinforced."
More than 500 participants from the nuclear industry, technical support organizations as well as international organizations joined the event organized by the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power company (KHNP). The ceremony was attended by dignitaries in the nuclear industry, such as Areva (of France), Vice Chairman Remy Autebert and Westinghouse Vice President Timothy Collier, showing an interest in the country’s nuclear industry.
Kori Unit-1, the country’s first nuclear power plant, started commercial operation on April 29, 1978. The country is currently operating 20 nuclear power plants, whose combined capacity comes to 17.7 million kW, placing Korea as the world’s 6th biggest power house. In addition, 6 units are under construction and 2 units are in planning stages.
According to figures released by the Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power company, over the last 30 years in Korea nuclear power has generated a total of 2 trillion kW/h of electricity, saving the Asian country an estimated 702 million tons of bituminous coal valued at 27 trillion won ($26 billion) or 2.94 billion barrel of heavy oil worth 97 trillion won ($96 billion) |
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