In Finland, two utilities, TVO and Fortum, are operating four units of nuclear power plants, Olkiluoto units 1&2 (BWR, 860 MWe each) and Loviisa units 1&2 (VVER, 440 MWe each), and TVO is currently constructing an EPR1600 as unit 3 on Olkiluoto site.
TVO is also planning Olkiluoto unit 4, the construction of which is to be completed by 2019. In December 2007, the management of TVO, including the Chairman of the Board of Directors, visited the construction site of the Shin-Kori plant as well as Changwon plant (Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction); they also attended a presentation on APR1400, which had given them confidence in the overall capabilities of Korea. During the visit, TVO made a suggestion on a joint feasibility study for the construction of APR1400 in Finland.
As part of the APR1400 feasibility study, the first technical meeting was held in Helsinki at the end of March 2008, from which it was determined that there would be five licensing issues, such as the introduction of double containment buildings to secure safety from APC (Air-Plane Crash), which are required to introduce APR1400 in Finland. In April 2008, KHNP (Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.) submitted technical documents for APR1400 to TVO to apply for DIP, which is the first licensing step for the construction of Olkiluoto unit 4. Since then, KHNP, KOPEC (Korea Power Engineering Company), and KNF (Korea Nuclear Fuel), etc, led by KHNP, have been continuously conducting technical reviews and analyses to resolve the licensing issues, and KHNP held technical meetings for STUK (Finnish nuclear regulatory agency) and TVO in June, August and October of 2008.
In 2009, we plan to pass STUK's preliminary safety evaluation for APR1400, and discuss project implementation and O&M, etc. in detail with TVO. In addition, to prepare for tender in mid-2010, we are planning to establish optimal plans, including market research and the organization of a tender team to win the plant supply contract.
On the other hand, Fortum, which is planning new Loviisa unit 3 (to be completed by 2020), also visited our company in September 2008 and suggested a joint APR1400 feasibility study after confirming our achievements in the field of NPP construction and operation as well as nuclear power technology. We are also making best efforts to win the plant supply contract for Loviisa unit 3.
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