South Korea’s power demand set to soar on AI boom
The nation is weighing whether to build more nuclear reactors as part of its long-term energy roadmap
SEOUL – South Korea's energy demands are projected to skyrocket in the near future due to an anticipated boom in artificial intelligence (AI) and electric vehicles (EVs), according to the country's energy minister. The surge in power usage is primarily attributed to plans by leading chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to expand their production capacities, alongside the development of new AI data centers.
The expansion alone will add 25 to 30 gigawatts to South Korea's power requirements, reported Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment Kim Sung-whan in a recent interview.
The minister further elaborated on the additional power demands that South Korea will face. The transition from traditional gasoline-engine cars to electric vehicles will contribute to a significant increase in power consumption. Additionally, the shift towards heating systems powered by electricity rather than gas will also add to the overall energy demand.
These factors combined pose a substantial challenge to South Korea's current power infrastructure, as the nation endeavors to adapt to the increasing demand driven by AI advancements and the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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