Kim Sung-hwan: "No Issues with Power and Water for Four Semiconductor Fabs... Supply Network to Be Completed by 2029"

Securing 650,000 Tons of Water per Day

Utilizing Six Hanbit Nuclear Reactors

Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment Kim Sung-hwan stated regarding the creation of the Southwest Semiconductor Cluster, "With the current power and water resources alone, it is possible to supply four semiconductor fabs," and added, "By the end of 2029, we will establish the necessary power and water infrastructure so that at least Samsung Electronics and SK hynix can each operate one fab."

Kim Sung Hwan, Minister of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, is inspecting the site development status and plans for power and water supply while looking at the site for the Yongin Semiconductor National Industrial Complex in Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do on the 22nd. Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment

On July 24, appearing on the CBS Radio program "Park Seongtae's News Show," Minister Kim remarked, "The AI and semiconductor industries are impossible without electricity and water," emphasizing, "The government's role is to establish the foundation that enables companies to invest."

He addressed the supply of the 650,000 tons of water required daily for semiconductor processes, explaining, "The total storage capacity of the eight dams in the Seomjin River and Yeongsan River basins is about 1.5 billion tons, so if we efficiently manage the existing water resources, there should be no significant difficulties in supplying water to the currently planned four fabs." He continued, "To prepare for contingencies such as drought, we are also pursuing a plan to increase the storage capacity of the Dongbok Dam in Hwasun, South Jeolla Province. Securing additional water in this way causes less environmental damage than building a new dam."

Regarding power supply, he stated that the existing power grid can accommodate the demand. Minister Kim said, "Experts assess that, with six Hanbit nuclear reactors and renewable energy generation in the Honam region, there is sufficient power for the four planned fabs." However, he added, "It will be necessary to establish an additional transmission network to connect the 345kV (kilovolt) power transmission line, which runs from Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant to the South Gwangju Substation, to the Gwangju military airport site." He continued, "Building such a transmission network normally takes five to ten years, but we are currently reviewing the route, and after discussions with companies, we expect to finalize the plan soon. Our goal is to supply power to the Gwangju military airport site by the end of 2029."

Kim Sung-hwan, Minister of Climate, Energy, and Environment, is inspecting the status of land development and plans for power and water supply while looking at the site of the Yongin Semiconductor National Industrial Complex in Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do on the 22nd. Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment

However, he clarified that the decision to construct additional semiconductor plants at the Gwangju military airport site has not been made. Minister Kim explained, "Apart from the currently announced four fabs, further investment is still only under discussion," noting, "The airport site can accommodate facilities even larger than the four fabs, so we need to prepare for long-term power demand."

He also stressed that whether or not companies invest is not something the government decides. He stated, "The government's role is to ensure the infrastructure, such as power and water supply, is in place in advance so that companies can decide if investing is advantageous for them, but the final decision on investment lies with the companies."

In addition, regarding the use of nuclear power plants, he said, "For the currently planned semiconductor cluster, the existing Hanbit nuclear power plant and renewable energy sources are sufficient," but added, "If power demand in the Honam region rises sharply in the future, the need to consider building additional nuclear reactors should be reviewed." Minister Kim concluded, "In the AI era, power demand will surge, while coal-fired power should be reduced, and maintaining industrial competitiveness is an urgent task. We must engage in a societal discussion, including with the public and environmental groups, on how to combine renewable energy and nuclear energy and what the appropriate ratio should be."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.