South Korea's electricity demand is expected to rise sharply in the coming years, driven by expanded chip production and new AI data centres, according to Energy Minister Kim Sung-whan.

In a Reuters interview, he said AI-related needs alone could add 25 to 30 GW to national power consumption. Additional pressure will come from the transition to electric vehicles and electric heating systems.

His remarks precede a government update to the long-term energy roadmap, due next month and extended to 2040. A key question is whether more nuclear reactors will be included.

Kim did not say how many might be added, but called nuclear power "an essential element to consider within the power generation structure of our energy mix." For context, 25-30 GW would equal roughly 20 reactors of current domestic design.

South Korea already operates 26 reactors, supplying just under one-third of its electricity. Coal and gas each account for 29% and 27% respectively, while renewables make up 11%. The country has 60 coal plants and aims to retire them by 2040, though 20 could remain as emergency backup beyond that date.

Chip giants Samsung and SK Hynix, critical to AI infrastructure, have pledged new factories in the southwest as part of a government-backed 800 trillion won ($590 billion) mega project, with timelines accelerated from 2045 to the early 2030s.

Kim also noted that several U.S. firms, including Nvidia, have shown interest in building data centres in South Korea, citing reliable power supply.

While the government wants to expand renewables, Kim acknowledged that nuclear remains unavoidable for now despite safety concerns. A state-run poll showed 79% support for new reactors in the roadmap, but in May, a civic group in Ulsan – a potential site – collected over 10,000 signatures against additional units on safety grounds.

Kim does not expect the new chip cluster to require a dedicated new plant, as six reactors and existing solar and wind farms already serve the area. Instead, regions like Seoul may need more solar or liquefied natural gas plants to supplement transmitted power.

He described coal plant retirements as flexible, saying, "It's a kind of safety power reserve. You never know what might happen, so completely dismantling everything could put us in a difficult situation."