Nuclear reactors operated by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power. The state-run utility plans to build three new nuclear reactors over the next decade. Photo by KHNP
June 18 (UPI) — Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power said Thursday that it has selected two sites in the country’s southeastern region for the construction of three new nuclear reactors over the next decade.
The state-backed utility noted that its committee, comprising outside experts, chose Yeongdeok County, located about 185 miles southeast of Seoul, and Gijang County, roughly 200 miles southeast of the capital, after a year-long evaluation process.
Yeongdeok County will host two 1.4-gigawatt large-scale nuclear reactors, while Gijang County will be home to a 0.7-gigawatt small modular reactor, or SMR, according to KHNP. Two local governments competed for each project.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said that it aims to secure construction approval for the three reactors in the early 2030s and bring them online by 2037 and 2038.
The incumbent administration was initially skeptical about building additional nuclear plants but later changed its stance as electricity demand surged amid the AI boom and the rapid expansion of data centers.
As of the end of last year, KHNP operated 26 nuclear reactors across South Korea and was building four additional units. Currently, nuclear power accounts for around one-third of the nation’s energy mix.
“We extend our gratitude to all local governments and residents who showed such passionate interest in hosting the projects, and we express our sincere regret to the regions that were not selected,” KHNP said in a statement.
The utility added that residents’ opinions gathered during the selection process, including both support for and opposition to nuclear development, would be reflected in future cooperation plans with local communities.
KHNP is not publicly listed.