NewKerala.com

South Korea to Build 2 New Nuclear Reactors by 2038, Citing Clean Energy Demand

South Korea's government has confirmed it will proceed with the construction of two new nuclear reactors, aiming for completion between 2037 and 2038. Climate Minister Kim Sung-whan announced the plan, emphasizing the need for a power system centered on renewable and nuclear energy to reduce carbon emissions. The decision follows public opinion polls showing about 80% of respondents believe nuclear power is necessary. The plan is part of a broader electricity supply strategy that also addresses rising demand from the AI sector and electric vehicle expansion.

Key Points: S. Korea Plans 2 New Nuclear Reactors by 2038 for Clean Energy

  • Two reactors to be built by 2038
  • Plan part of 12th electricity supply roadmap
  • 80% public support for nuclear power
  • Aim to cut carbon emissions from energy sector
  • Responds to AI and EV-driven electricity demand
2 min read

S. Korea to build 2 new nuclear reactors by 2038 as planned

South Korea confirms plan to build two new nuclear reactors by 2038 to meet rising electricity demand and achieve carbon neutrality, backed by strong public support.

"Therefore, we need power system operations centered on renewable energy and nuclear power. - Climate Minister Kim Sung-whan"

Seoul, Jan 26

Seoul will construct two new nuclear reactors by 2038 at the latest as planned, the climate minister said on Monday, reflecting public support for the plan amid growing demand for clean energy.

Climate Minister Kim Sung-whan announced the plan in a press briefing on the envisioned 12th basic plan for electricity supply and demand, which outlines the country's power supply plan for the 2026-2040 period, reports Yonhap news agency.

The government will conduct necessary procedures to complete building two large-scale nuclear reactors between 2037-2038 as planned under the 11th basic plan devised by the previous administration, Kim said.

"To respond to climate change, carbon emissions must be reduced across all sectors, and to cut carbon emissions in the energy sector, it is necessary to reduce power generation through coal and liquefied natural gas," he told reporters.

"Therefore, we need power system operations centered on renewable energy and nuclear power."

Last week, two public opinion polls commissioned by the government showed that an average of 80 percent of respondents said nuclear power is needed, with 60 percent supporting the additional construction plan.

Under the plan, the state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) will soon begin a bidding process to select the host cities or towns for the two new reactors by 2027.

The KHNP aims to receive the nuclear safety watchdog's approval for the plan by 2031 to complete the construction between 2037-2038, according to the ministry.

Kim said the upcoming 12th power supply plan will include the country's response to rising electricity demand sparked by the growth of the artificial intelligence (AI) sector and expansion of electric vehicles.

It will also include an energy mix policy aimed at helping the country achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, he added.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Interesting to see 80% public support for nuclear there. In India, we often have protests against new plants due to safety fears. Maybe we need better public communication about modern safety standards? It's crucial for our energy security.
R
Rohit P
Good planning horizon - 2038! Our projects sometimes get delayed for years. We need this kind of long-term, stable policy for energy, not changes with every election. Kudos to South Korea for sticking to the plan.
S
Sarah B
While nuclear is low-carbon, the waste disposal issue remains a huge challenge. I hope India invests equally in solar, wind, and green hydrogen. A diverse energy mix is safer and more sustainable in the long run.
V
Vikram M
They're thinking about AI's power demand already! That's forward-looking. Our IT hubs and data centers will need massive, clean power too. Time to fast-track our nuclear and renewable projects. 🚀
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, I have concerns. Nuclear plants are incredibly expensive and take too long to build. For a country like India with abundant sunshine, shouldn't rooftop solar be the priority? It's faster, cheaper, and creates more jobs.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50