Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power has officially begun reactor building construction for Shin Hanul Unit 4, marking another major milestone in South Korea’s nuclear power expansion strategy.
The company announced Thursday that it carried out the project’s “first concrete pouring,” a key stage in nuclear plant construction that signals the transition from site preparation work to full-scale structural construction of the reactor building.
The first concrete pouring is considered one of the most significant milestones in a nuclear power project, as it marks the start of major civil engineering work following excavation and ground stabilization.
Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 received construction approval in September 2024 and have since undergone large-scale site excavation and foundation work. Shin Hanul Unit 3 completed its first concrete placement last year, while Unit 4 has now entered the same phase.
KHNP said Shin Hanul Unit 4 is scheduled for completion in 2033 after structural construction, installation of key equipment and a series of performance and safety tests are completed.
The utility emphasized that safety and quality control will remain top priorities throughout the construction process, adding that the project will adopt world-class nuclear engineering standards.
Once Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 are fully operational, the reactors are expected to supply electricity equivalent to nearly 46% of North Gyeongsang Province’s annual power demand.
The project comes as South Korea accelerates efforts to strengthen energy security and expand carbon-free power generation amid growing electricity demand from artificial intelligence infrastructure, semiconductor manufacturing and advanced industries.
Globally, nuclear energy has regained momentum as countries seek stable baseload power sources capable of supporting carbon neutrality goals. The United States, Japan and several European nations have recently expanded or restarted nuclear energy projects to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Industry observers say the Shin Hanul expansion is also expected to help revitalize South Korea’s nuclear supply chain and strengthen the competitiveness of domestic nuclear technology exports.
KHNP President Kim Hoe-cheon said the first concrete pouring for Unit 4 would serve as “a strong foundation supporting the future of Korea’s energy industry,” adding that the company would continue pursuing safe and reliable nuclear plant construction with a sense of responsibility toward achieving national carbon neutrality goals.
