Canada’s Candu Energy, a subsidiary of SNC-Lavalin, had been awarded four contracts by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) worth approximately CAD22 million ($16m).

The awards comprise multi-campaign field inspections, prolonged operation assessment and thermal-hydraulic computer code updates.

The inspections will provide assurance to both KHNP and the Korean nuclear regulator that three Candu reactors at the Wolsong nuclear plant are safe to operate until the next planned inspection.

All the contracts fall within SNCL Engineering Services.

Under the contracts, SNC-Lavalin will inspect fuel channels and perform pressure tube sampling campaigns for Wolsong 2, 3 and 4. All the work is scheduled to begin in 2020.

Engineering analysis and assessment will be completed on the fuel channels and fuel channel components.

The thermal-hydraulic computer codes (CATHENA and NUCIRC) update will support KHNP in updating the safety analysis report for the units, a statement said.

"We are always proud to have these opportunities to support KHNP and the Candu reactors at Wolsong as we have done so safely for decades," said Sandy Taylor, President, Nuclear, SNC-Lavalin.

"SNC-Lavalin has performed these campaigns for over 20 years and continues to conduct these inspections on both international and domestic Candu reactors using the latest tools and technologies for inspections and non-destructive testing."

The four units at Wolsong site in South Korea are 700MWe Candu 6 reactors. Wolsong 2, 3 and 4 began operation in 1997, 1998 and 1999 respectively.

In December, South Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) approved the permanent shutdown of Wolsong 1, South Korea’s 2nd-oldest reactor.

KHNP in 2018 approved shutdown of the unit earlier than planned, as part of the long-term scheme to phase out nuclear power.

Photo: The Wolsong Nuclear Power Plant (Credit: KHNP)