South Korea energy strategy for AI demand

In late June 2026 the South Korean government warned that the construction of AI data centers and semiconductor clusters would create a power shortfall of roughly 24.7 GW, far above the growth anticipated in its electricity supply plan. To close the gap officials floated expanding nuclear capacity with up to 18 new large reactors and boosting LNG generation, while also noting the need to accelerate offshore‑wind development to meet the 2035 emissions‑reduction goal.

A month later, in July 2026, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy approved a 13‑year (2026‑2038) long‑term LNG supply plan aimed at securing the gas needed for those high‑energy‑intensity industries. The plan calls for increasing LNG storage to 8.87 million tonnes, adding 564 km of pipelines, and diversifying import sources by cutting Middle‑East supplies to just over 10 % and raising U.S. LNG imports to about 30 %. Together, the two measures illustrate South Korea’s shift from broad power‑capacity discussions to concrete steps securing LNG supply while still weighing nuclear and offshore wind options to meet rising AI‑driven electricity demand.