'Cannot keep delaying decisions' as Yongin, southwestern semiconductor clusters advance simultaneously
Minister weighs underground transmission lines to minimize community conflict if more reactors built
![Minister of Climate, Environment and Energy Kim Sung-hwan speaks on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" program Thursday about power and water supply plans for the southwestern semiconductor cluster. [YouTube 'MBC Radio News']](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/07/03/news-p.v1.20260703.ad9e08d91c634fb89fb4d8692a041c81_P1.jpg)
The government has again raised the possibility of building additional nuclear reactors to meet power demand from the southwestern semiconductor cluster and AI data centers. Sites at existing nuclear plant locations in Yeonggwang, South Jeolla Province, and Ulju, Ulsan, each have room for two more reactors, and whether to proceed could be reflected in the 12th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand.
Minister of Climate, Environment and Energy Kim Sung-hwan appeared on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" on Thursday and said the government is drawing up the 12th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand. He said it plans to finalize how much additional power will be needed for semiconductor factories and AI data centers around the time of the regular National Assembly session.
Asked whether a plan for additional reactor construction could emerge before the regular National Assembly session in September, Kim said the government must reduce coal-fired generation and expand renewable energy by 2040 in response to the climate crisis. "Taking all those factors into account, we will consult extensively with experts to determine what proportion of nuclear power — which serves as a stable baseload source — is appropriate, and then decide what generation sources to include," he said.
Kim said he had been briefed that the Hanbit nuclear plant site in Yeonggwang has room for two additional reactors, and that Ulju also has a site where two more could be built. "The conditions for additional construction are in place without having to develop entirely new sites," he said.
He cautioned, however, that available land does not automatically mean construction will proceed. "We will make a judgment that fully takes into account the acceptance of local residents and the broader public," he said.
Kim also said the government cannot keep putting off its decision now that it has committed to simultaneously developing semiconductor clusters in both Yongin and the southwestern region.
The government's consideration of additional reactors is understood to be driven by plans to build more semiconductor fabrication plants and expand AI data center capacity.
Kim said semiconductors require a stable power supply around the clock, making them nearly equivalent to baseload demand, and that renewable energy growth alone would not be sufficient to meet that need. "We need to quickly examine whether additional nuclear plants should be built," he said, reaffirming the possibility of new reactor construction.
On transmission infrastructure that would accompany any new reactors, Kim said some areas could be served by existing grid capacity while others would require expansion. He noted that the plan to build two reactors in Yeongdeok was assessed as feasible using the existing transmission network, but that further construction would require additional lines. "This has never been considered before, so we will need to verify it — but if more reactors are to be built, additional transmission lines will have to be installed," he said.
Kim added that while transmission lines were historically strung overhead, underground installation costs roughly 10 times more. He said he is weighing whether to bury lines near residential areas while keeping overhead lines in more remote stretches, even if that raises upfront costs. "I am thinking it may be better to minimize community conflict and move quickly, even if it costs more at the outset," he said.
thlee@heraldcorp.com
