POSCO ICT (CEO Nam-suk Hur) will be supplying the Programmable Logic Controller (hereinafter 'PLC'), the key instrument of the Instrumentation and Control (hereinafter 'I&C') System, which it has developed using Korean technology, to the Sinuljin Plants No. 1 and 2.

POSCO ICT will be concluding an agreement with Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction so as to supply nuclear instruments to the Sinuljin Plants No. 1 and 2. The relevant systems will be supplied to Sinuljin Plant No. 1 by next week and to Sinuljin Plant No. 2 by the end of 2010.

PLC is the key system responsible for the instrumentation and control of the nuclear power plant along with the Distributed Control System (DCS). It interrupts the operation of the control system in situations when a grave defect occurs at the power plant and safely suspends the nuclear reactor.

POSCO ICT has taken part in the next-generation nuclear Instrumentation and Control System domestication project organized by the 'Korea Nuclear Instrumentation and Control Systems Domestication & Development Project (KNICS),' affiliates at the Korea Ministry of Knowledge Economy, for 7 years from 2001 to 2008 and succeeded in developing the PLC.

Until now, PLC has been supplied by a limited number of foreign corporations from around the world such as Westinghouse of Japan and Framatome of France. With POSCO ICT taking part in the domestication project promoted by KNICS and succeeding in the development of the PLC, the technology has driven substitute effects of imports and has made it possible for POSCO ICT to advance into the international market. Also, in addition to nuclear plants, the instrumentation and control technology of POSCO ICT can also be used in various industries such as large-size chemical plants, steel plants and aerospace industry.

With this technology, POSCO ICT estimates that it will be able to bring about a substitution effect for imports of up to KRW 50 billion each year with construction of new power plants and replacement of PLCs already put into operation in Korea. Also, POSCO ICT plans to actively promote exports using relevant systems. Taking into consideration that most nuclear plant exports are promoted through a turnkey methodology, POSCO ICT plans to cooperate with construction companies with experience in constructing nuclear power plants.

A personnel relevant to POSCO ICT said, “With the application of nuclear PLC using only Korean technology to the Sinuljin Plant No. 1 and 2, we have advanced the independence of nuclear technology one step forward. We, POSCO ICT, have plans to actively promote the use of our PLC in nuclear power plants to be constructed, and the replacement of PLC already in operation in Korea and abroad.”