New nuclear power plant sites finalized in Yeongdeok, North Gyeongsang, and Gijang, Busan
Construction of new nuclear power plants, Yeongdeok and Gijang finally selected... full-scale response to power demand begins Strengthening supply chains and energy security with two large nuclear power plants and Korea's first SMR
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power has finalized Yeongdeok County in North Gyeongsang Province and Gijang County in Busan as the sites for new nuclear power plant construction. Yeongdeok County is expected to host two large 1.4 GW nuclear reactors, while Gijang County is expected to host the country’s first 0.7 GW small modular reactor (SMR).
This decision is significant in that the review of candidate nuclear power plant sites, which had been shelved since 2011, is now being resumed in earnest. The large reactors are targeting commercial operation in 2037–2038, and the SMR in 2035.
KHNP explained that Yeongdeok County had the edge in site suitability and local acceptance, while Gijang County’s existing Kori nuclear power plant infrastructure and operational experience worked as strengths. Industry observers see this as reflecting a move to secure new power sources quickly amid rising electricity demand driven by the spread of AI.