Firms fight for lucrative N-plant bids

The competition to win nuclear power plant projects worth a total of 2 trillion won ($1.68 billion) is becoming fierce, with three consortiums vying for the contracts. Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co. will open bids for two 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plants in Singori, Busan, and two others in Sinweolseong, Gyeongju, on Feb. 18. The Singori construction projects are scheduled to be completed in 2009, and those in Sinweolseong in 2010. The two power plants in Singori are expected to cost a total of 940 billion won; the two plants in Sinweolseong 960 billion won. The projects are being planned six years after the last new order for large nuclear power plants in Korea, easing somewhat pent-up demand for such facilities. Contractors are focusing on civil engineering projects as housing construction begins to slow. Major firms have formed three consortiums. Daewoo Engineering and Construction Co., Samsung Corp. and LG Engineering and Construction Corp. have formed a group. Another comprises Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co., Daelim Industrial Co. and SK Engineering and Construction Co. Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction Co., Sambu Construction Co. and Samwhan Corp. make up the third. by Ahn Jang-won