韩国重启两座新核电站项目

Core Viewpoint - The South Korean government has decided to proceed with the construction of two new nuclear power plants as part of its 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand, despite initial plans for a comprehensive review and public consultation [1][2] Group 1: Government Plans and Policies - The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment has confirmed that new nuclear power construction will continue as planned due to the rapid increase in electricity demand from AI and data centers [1] - The 11th Basic Plan includes the construction of two nuclear power units with a total capacity of 2.8 GW, scheduled for completion in 2037 and 2038, along with a 0.7 GW small modular reactor (SMR) to be introduced before 2035 [1] - The government has reversed its stance on the nuclear power projects after discussions and polling indicated public support, emphasizing the need to reduce coal and LNG power generation to meet climate goals [1] Group 2: Industry Concerns and Requirements - The Korean Atomic Energy Society has indicated that to maintain a nuclear power share of 35% by 2038, an additional 20 large nuclear plants and 12 SMRs will need to be constructed by 2050 [1] - The new nuclear projects will be initiated by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, with the aim to secure approvals in the early 2030s and complete construction by 2037-2038, although there are concerns about potential delays due to policy changes [2] - The government plans to enhance energy storage systems (ESS) and pumped storage to address the intermittency of renewable energy while improving the operational flexibility of nuclear power units [1]