South Korea Considers New Nuclear Plant for AI and Chip Ambitions

South Korea is considering building new nuclear power plants to support its semiconductor, data center, and physical AI projects. Nuclear options are being discussed because electricity demand is expected to rise faster than renewable energy development.

Korea JoongAng Daily, quoted on Monday, July 13, reported that the plan was discussed in a closed-door meeting between the government and the ruling Democratic Party in the National Assembly.

The chairman of the Democratic Party Policy Committee, Han Jeoung-ae, said that the Minister of Climate, Energy, and Resources, Kim Sung-whan, did not rule out the possibility of building new nuclear power plants.

"The idea is not to rule out nuclear power as a way of dealing with the not always stable supply of renewable energy," Han said.

The government will first calculate how much electricity can be reliably supplied from renewable energy and energy storage systems, such as large-capacity batteries. The shortfall can then be met from other sources of electricity.

Kim said three major government projects must use clean electricity from renewable energy, not coal. However, in the statement he did not specifically mention nuclear power.

President Lee Jae Myung's administration is targeting renewable energy capacity to rise from 34 gigawatt last year to 100 gigawatt by 2030. The government also wants to have at least 3.7 gigawatt of energy storage capacity by the same year.

The problem is, the development of renewable energy takes time. Its supply also depends on natural conditions so that it is not always available at all times.

On the other hand, electricity demand is expected to soar as chip factories, data centers, and physical AI develop. The term physical AI refers to artificial intelligence that works through robots, machines, or devices in the real world.

Nuclear is also not an instant answer. Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik said the construction of nuclear power plants takes nine to 10 years.

"The 12th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand will include measures related to nuclear power," Kang said on June 29.

"We will find ways to shorten the time," he said.

The plan will be South Korea's roadmap for energy for the period 2026 to 2040. The document is scheduled to be published in September.

Kim Sung-whan on July 3 said two additional reactors could be built at the Hanbit nuclear power plant complex in Yeonggwang, South Jeolla. Two other reactors have the potential to be built in the Ulju nuclear power plant area, Ulsan.

Presidential Chief of Staff for Policy Kim Yong-beom said new nuclear power plant construction could be carried out if the local community wanted it and the location was deemed feasible.

However, the number of additional reactors has not been decided. The government still has to calculate the renewable energy capacity and electricity storage before determining the needs from other sources.

The energy roadmap will also still be revised because three government flagship projects were announced after the initial draft was completed.

"Three flagship projects were announced after the 12th Basic Plan was drafted. So, the plan must certainly be revised," said Han.