South Korea moves to add nuclear and LNG capacity for semiconductor expansion

South Korean officials and semiconductor leaders say the country's push to build a $400 trillion wafer fab cluster in the southwest and expand the existing Yongin site will require roughly 6.3 GW of reliable power – an amount comparable to the output of four large nuclear reactors. Samsung Electronics executives and former Samsung chief Goh Dong‑jin have repeatedly warned that power shortages could cripple the 24‑hour operation of advanced fabs.

In response, the government has shifted from its earlier climate‑focused energy plan to consider additional nuclear construction, small modular reactors and LNG‑based combined‑cycle plants. Climate and Energy Minister Kim Sung‑hwan told media that “semiconductors need stable, round‑the‑clock electricity and renewable sources alone cannot meet the demand,” urging fast‑track approvals for new reactors and transmission lines. Local residents and environmental groups are opposing new transmission corridors and power‑plant projects, citing ecological concerns.

The policy reversal highlights the tension between South Korea’s climate‑energy goals and the urgent power needs of its flagship high‑tech industry.