A committee of outside experts has selected Yeongdeok County in Gyeongbuk and Gijang County in Busan as candidate sites for new nuclear facilities [1, 2].
These selections are intended to secure the industrial and technical foundation necessary to meet the massive power demands of the AI era [1, 2]. As artificial intelligence drives energy consumption upward, the South Korean government is prioritizing stable, large-scale power generation to maintain economic competitiveness.
According to the selection committee, Yeongdeok County was chosen as the candidate site for two [1] new large-scale nuclear reactors. These plants are expected to begin operations around 2037 [1]. The decision marks a significant step in the government's strategy to expand its traditional nuclear fleet to ensure long-term energy security.
In addition to the large reactors, the committee designated Gijang County in Busan as the candidate site for the country's first small modular reactor, known as an SMR [1, 2]. SMRs are designed to be more flexible and have a smaller footprint than traditional plants, offering a different approach to grid stability, and power distribution.
"SMRs will be installed for the first time in Korea in Gijang-gun, Busan," a YTN News anchor said [1].
Regarding the large-scale projects, the anchor said that Yeongdeok County in Gyeongbuk was selected as the candidate site for the two new plants slated for operation around 2037 [1].
The selection process was managed by a specialized evaluation committee composed of external experts to ensure a technical and objective assessment of the candidate regions [1, 2]. The move aligns with broader national goals to integrate advanced nuclear technology into the energy mix while managing the environmental and social impacts of site selection.
“Yeongdeok County was chosen as the candidate site for two new large-scale nuclear reactors.”
The dual selection of both traditional large-scale reactors and a first-of-its-kind SMR indicates South Korea's hedge against energy volatility. By diversifying the scale of nuclear deployment, the state aims to support the high-density power needs of AI data centers while testing the viability of modular technology for future urban or industrial integration.
