South Korea launches $1.3B renewable platform and studies faster nuclear plant construction

SK Inc. and global investment firm KKR announced a KRW 2 trillion (about $1.3 billion) partnership to create Korea’s largest renewable‑energy platform. The platform, managed initially by KKR, consolidates solar, on‑shore and off‑shore wind and fuel‑cell assets from SK affiliates and currently operates around 1.7 GW, with plans to expand the pipeline to 10 GW. It is designed to supply reliable, carbon‑free power to AI data centres, semiconductor factories and other large‑scale industrial users.

Separately, the South Korean government said it will examine ways to shorten the typical 9‑10‑year construction period for new nuclear reactors, aiming to boost electricity supply for the same AI‑driven data‑centre and semiconductor boom. The proposal will be incorporated into an upcoming long‑term power‑supply plan. Options under review include small‑modular reactors, though the technology is still in early stages. Nuclear power already provides roughly one‑third of the country's electricity, and the government hopes faster builds will keep pace with projected investments of at least 1,350 trillion won by firms such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.