South Korea plans to replace 27 coal power generators with a combined capacity of 13.6 GW by 2036, once the units pass their 30-year design life. The new plants will run on LNG, a shift driven by rising electricity demand from semiconductor clusters and AI data centers. The government now projects peak demand of 165 GW by 2040, up 26.8 GW from earlier estimates. Alongside the fuel switch, the government is reviewing emission standards for LNG plants that would tighten every five years and reach zero carbon by 2050. The ministry has not yet set specific reduction targets or chosen technologies. Industry officials say the lack of interim numbers makes it hard to evaluate investments in hydrogen fuel switching or carbon capture. The plan also covers LNG combined heat and power plants that supply district heating and industrial steam. Whether the zero by 2050 goal is achievable depends on technology costs and policy follow-through. Interim targets and a compensation mechanism for carbon reduction costs would give operators a clearer basis for investment decisions.
