South Korea - World Nuclear Outlook Report
Projection of future nuclear capacity in South Korea in 2050
|
60-year operation (MWe) |
80-year operation (MWe) |
Under Construction (MWe) |
Planned (MWe) |
Proposed (MWe) |
Potential (MWe) |
Government target (MWe) |
Total for 2050 (MWe) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
20,279 |
6847 |
4200 |
1400 |
0 |
0 |
3500 |
36,226 |
South Korea has 26 operable reactors with a total net capacity of 25,825 MWe, two APR1400 reactors under construction at the Saeul nuclear plant, and a APR1400 under construction and another planned at Shin Hanul.
The 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand (2024-2038) issued in February 2025 includes the construction of two additional large reactors (in addition to Saeul 3&4 and Shin Hanul 3&4), as well as 700 MWe of SMR capacity by 2038.157
In December 2022 Korea announced a commitment of 400 billion won ($310 million) for the development of the i-SMR.
In September 2025 President Lee Jae-myung, who took office in June 2025, reiterated South Korea’s long-term direction “must be toward renewable energy”, although he stressed that existing and under-construction nuclear projects would continue.158
Long-term operation
South Korea has begun the process of extending the operating lifetimes the ten units that were due to end their design lifetimes by 2030 following the expiration of their 30-40-year operating licence periods.
