A local nuclear reactor was once again shut down for what appeared to be mechanical flaws, elevating concerns about the nation’s power supply situation this winter.

Kori Reactor 1, located in Busan, halted operation at 1:18 a.m. on Thursday due to “problems in its turbine system,” according to the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Corp.

The number of inactive nuclear reactors in Korea thus increased from five to six out of 23, including Shin-Kori Reactors 1 and 2, which were involved in a certificate forgery scandal earlier this year.

But the temporary shutdown of Kori 1 will cause no immediate danger of a radiation leak, officials added.

The reactor had resumed operation for only 52 days since it reopened on Oct. 5 after a 176-day regular maintenance check this summer.

The 580,000 kilowatt-capacity reactor, which was launched in 1978, is currently the country’s oldest nuclear unit.

Though it was to end its 30-year lifespan and expire in 2007, its operation was extended by 10 years in early 2008, reflecting the nation’s rising electricity demands.

The unexpected breakdown raised an alarm over the nation’s power supply capacity, especially ahead of the season of peak electricity demand.

The state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. predicted that the total electricity demand this winter will reach its apex in mid-January. The demand is likely to break the previous year’s record of 76.5 million kilowatts and approach some 81 million kilowatts.

The maximum capacity of supply, however, is 80 million kilowatts, which means that the backup power reserve may become exhausted at any point during the peak season of demand.

“A meticulous demand management system is needed so as to prevent the nuclear reactor suspension from affecting the country’s electricity supply,” said an official of the Korea Power Exchange.

By Bae Hyun-jung
(tellme@heraldcorp.com)