South Korea to Build New Nuclear Reactors to Power the AI and Semiconductor Revolution

As the global race for Artificial Intelligence dominance intensifies, the energy required to fuel this digital revolution has become a critical strategic asset. South Korea, a global powerhouse in semiconductor manufacturing, is now taking decisive steps to secure its energy future. The South Korean government has officially confirmed plans to construct two new large scale nuclear reactors and one Small Modular Reactor by 2038 to meet the soaring electricity demand from AI data centers and the massive semiconductor clusters being developed in the country.

The epicenter of this demand is the Yongin semiconductor cluster, a monumental industrial project involving investments of over 622 trillion won from industry giants like Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. Experts estimate that once these clusters are fully operational, their power consumption could be equivalent to the output of 15 nuclear power plants. With the nation's commitment to carbon neutrality and its membership in the Powering Past Coal Alliance, traditional coal fired power generation is no longer a viable option.

Under the 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand, these new reactors with a combined capacity of 2,800 megawatts are scheduled for completion between 2037 and 2038. The government is also looking forward to the 12th Basic Plan in 2026, which will further refine the roadmap for a carbon neutral energy mix. This strategic pivot towards nuclear energy, supported by over 80 percent of the public in recent polls, highlights the unavoidable necessity of stable, zero carbon power for the high tech industries that define South Korea's economic future.