South Korea's Energy Plans Face Power Gap as AI Data Centers and Offshore Wind Expand

The South Korean government announced plans to build AI data centers and semiconductor clusters that will require an additional 24.7 GW of electricity, far exceeding current demand forecasts. To meet this, officials are considering expanding nuclear capacity with up to 18 new large reactors (about 25 GW) and increasing LNG generation, prompting a revision of the 12th electricity supply plan. Environmental groups warn that the added power could generate roughly 85 million tons of CO₂ by 2029, about 12 % of the nation’s annual emissions, conflicting with the country’s 2030 climate reduction targets.

At the same time, offshore wind development in South Korea remains minimal, with only about 1 % of approved capacity operational. Comparisons to Taiwan’s rapid offshore‑wind growth suggest a potential pathway for diversifying the energy mix. The government aims to incorporate more offshore wind to help achieve its 2035 emissions‑reduction goal, though high costs, market structure, and the need for supportive policies are cited as challenges.