S.Korea to build gas-fired plants in lieu of nuke

South Korea will build six more gas-fired power plants amid nuclear safety concerns.

The plants have a combined capacity of 5.06 million kW.

The six-gas fired power plants are a 950,000 kW plant at Dangjin and a 900,000 kW plant at Pyeongtaek, both thewest coast; a 400,000 kW plant at Ulsan on the southeast coast; a 920,000 kW plant at Tongyeong on the southcoast; a 940,000 kW plant in Pocheon, west of Seoul; and a 950,000 kW plant at Yeoju, south of Seoul.

If the government proceeds with the plan, the gas-fired power plants would begin commercial production between June 2015 and December 2017.

South Korea is also considering to build six coal-fired power plants, with a combined capacity of 10.74 million kW, between June 2018 and the end of 2020 under the new power supply plan, the source said.

South Korea is increasingly worried about power shortages as nuclear reactors that account for 30% of the country's total electricity consumption have recently suffered a series of malfunctions that have led to temporary shutdowns, triggering nuclear safety concerns.

The Ministry of Knowledge Economy, which is responsible for energy, industry and commerce, said the plan for more power plants has not been finalized yet.

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