goingcritical:saeul-3South Korea · Power reactor

Saeul-3

Developer: Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP)

Site: Ulju County, Ulsan

Status: Critical since April 12, 2026 critical

Summary:

Formerly Shin-Kori 5; operating licence issued December 2025, NSSC cleared initial criticality 10 April 2026 and it was achieved two days later. Commercial operation expected around August 2026.

Details

DesignAPR1400
Capacity1340 MWe

Milestone history

  1. Announced —
  2. Construction start April 1, 2017
  3. Fuel load —
  4. First criticality April 12, 2026
  5. Grid connection —
  6. Commercial operation —

References

  1. NucNet, Saeul-3 achieves first criticality, April 2026
  2. WNN, Saeul 3 cleared for start-up
  3. WNN, operating permit issued December 2025
  4. IAEA PRIS, Saeul-3 reactor details (construction start 1 April 2017)