South Korea to expand nuclear generation

• 10 years ago (2013-12-13)
• Junior Isles

Nuclear 640

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South Korea will build between 18 and 21 more nuclear power plants by 2035, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Yoon Sang-jick has stated in a report to the National Assembly this week.

“We set the proportion of nuclear power plants to all domestic power generation facilities at 29 per cent by 2035,” he said.

This is a lowering of the target of the 41 per cent nuclear target set out in the 2008 domestic energy plan, but still exceeds the current proportion of nuclear in the energy mix ‒ 26.4 per cent.

To reach the 29 per cent target by 2035 Korea will need to build around 20 more nuclear power plants, though five are already under construction and six at the planning stage.

Korea currently has 23 nuclear plants, but many are ageing and will be in need of replacement within 20 years.

South Korea’s total electricity consumption is also expected to grow substantially on 2011 levels, growing 80 per cent and reaching 70.2 million tons of oil equivalents by 2035.

This implies nuclear capacity would need to increase by more than 80 per cent on current levels to increase its share in the energy mix.

The Ministry of of Trade, Industry and Energy has also set a relatively low renewable energy target for a developed nation – only 11 per cent sufficient by 2035 – in line with recommendations by a public-private working group.