How many nuclear power plants will South Korea have by 2038?

South Korea aims to have 30 nuclear plants by 2038 and to more than triple its solar and wind power output to 72 GW by 2030. The government also plans to replace ageing coal power plants with more sustainable options like pumped storage hydroelectricity and hydrogen power plants.

How will South Korea transform its energy sector?

The country has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform its energy sectors, aiming to generate 70 per cent of its electricity from carbon-free sources by 2038. South Korea aims to have 30 nuclear plants by 2038 and to more than triple its solar and wind power output to 72 GW by 2030.

What will South Korea's energy mix look like in 2038?

This would lift the portion of renewable energy in South Korea's energy mix from 8.4% in 2023 to 29.2% in 2038. With this, the proportion of carbon-free power generation, including nuclear and renewables, is forecast to reach 70% by 2038.

Does South Korea have a small modular reactor?

South Korea also plans to adopt a small modular reactor (SMR) that will provide 0.7 GW of power starting from 2035-2036. The country aims to reduce coal power generation from 184.9 TWh in 2023 to 70.9 TWh in 2038, and reduce its portion in the country's energy mix from 31.4% in 2023 to 10.1% in 2038.

How many nuclear reactors does South Korea have?

South Korea is targetting power generation of 157.8 GW by 2038, outstripping the capacity of planned facilities that should be able to generate 131.2 GW. South Korea has 26 operational large-scale nuclear power reactors, and is currently building four more.

Why is South Korea launching a nuclear energy Renaissance?

The renewed push for nuclear power got a boost earlier this year, when South Korea won a $17 billion project to export its nuclear technology to the Czech Republic. President Yoon Suk Yeol has ushered in a nuclear energy renaissance, pursuing atomic power to help slash carbon emissions and satisfy soaring power demand.