A new leader is emerging within the nuclear power system. This superpower has significant aspirations.

The analytical company GlobalData has prepared the report "South Korea Power Market Outlook to 2035, Update 2025 – Market Trends, Regulations, and Competitive Landscape".

It forecasts that nuclear energy production in South Korea will reach 222.7 TWh by 2035, recording a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.4% between 2024 and 2035.

According to GlobalData's forecast, the capacity of nuclear power plants in South Korea is expected to increase to nearly 30 GW in 2035.

This will be associated, as the information provided shows, with an increase in the installed capacity of nuclear energy in this country.

GlobalData reported that South Korea's nuclear power capacity increased from 23.2 GW in 2020 to 24.4 GW in 2024, and forecasts that it will expand from 2024 to 2035, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.8%, reaching 29.8 GW in 2035.

The statement also stated that South Korea has 25 nuclear reactors in operation, four more are under construction, and that nuclear energy covers almost one-third of South Korea's electricity consumption.

Attaurrahman Ojindaram Saibasan, senior energy analyst at GlobalData, was quoted in the press release as saying that South Korea is currently facing the dual challenge of strengthening energy security and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

"The country relies heavily on thermal and nuclear energy to meet its domestic electricity needs. Using fossil fuels to produce thermal energy not only increases emissions but also, due to scarce natural resources, requires expensive coal and gas imports," commented Attaurrahman Ojindaram Saibasan.

According to GlobalData, South Korea aspires to become a leading exporter of nuclear energy.

GlobalData also reported that the Korean Energy Supply Plan (11th Basic Plan for Long-Term Electricity Supply and Demand) sets a goal of increasing the share of nuclear energy in South Korea's electricity generation to 35.2 percent by 2038.

It was also pointed out that South Korea aspires to become a leading exporter of nuclear energy, seeking to obtain contracts to build 10 nuclear reactors abroad by 2030.

"South Korea intends to expand its nuclear energy capabilities, thereby strengthening the role of nuclear energy in its energy mix. The country's nuclear companies are gaining increasing international recognition," commented Attaurrahman Ojindaram Saibasan.

However, he added, the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol in April 2025 has cast a shadow of uncertainty over South Korea's nuclear policy.