Why Nuclear Power Stocks Will Surge in 2026: When to Buy Just Before Doosan Enerbility Jumps | CEO Lee Kwon-hee

2026년에 원전주 폭발하는 이유.. 두산에너빌리티 급등 직전 매수 타이밍은 언제?ㅣ이권희 대표
Watch on YouTube ↗  |  January 17, 2026 at 23:00  |  22:44  |  815 Money Talk (815머니톡)
Speakers
Lee Kwon-hee — CEO, Economist

Summary

Lee Kwon-hee, CEO of Wizwave, argues that 2026 will be the year the nuclear renaissance becomes real, driven by AI data-center electricity demand, US policy support, and the need for stable baseload power. He favors Doosan Enerbility as the key equipment supplier regardless of which reactor designer wins, and also highlights KEPCO E&C, BHI, KEPCO, nuclear construction, and instrumentation/control names. He recaps the shipbuilding and defense cycles as context and advises investors to follow the market-selected nuclear leaders rather than every legacy related name.

  • 2026 nuclear renaissance thesis is driven by AI data-center power demand and US policy support.
  • Doosan Enerbility is seen as the key beneficiary across large nuclear, SMR, and gas-turbine equipment.
  • KEPCO E&C's view was changed to positive on potential US entry independent of KHNP.
  • Other nuclear supply-chain names include BHI, KEPCO, Woojin, Woori Technology, Hyundai E&C, and Daewoo E&C.
  • Cameco and uranium prices are expected to benefit from US uranium supply-security efforts.
  • AI data centers also support power equipment such as LS Electric; renewables support Sanil Electric.
  • The shipbuilding cycle is expected to run three years, while Hanwha Aerospace may peak this year.
  • The speaker advises flexible positioning and following the market-selected nuclear leaders.
Ideas
Lee Kwon-hee CEO, Economist 0:11
Doosan Enerbility is key nuclear equipment supplier.
The nuclear renaissance becomes a reality in 2026 as AI data centers and power shortages force more nuclear and gas generation. Doosan Enerbility is the key equipment supplier regardless of which reactor designer wins orders, can serve both Korea and the US, and supplies large nuclear components, SMR equipment, and large gas turbines as one of only a few capable global makers. Lee sees room to 140,000 won and calls it a second upcycle.
Lee Kwon-hee CEO, Economist 1:07
Shipbuilding cycle can run three years.
The shipbuilding cycle is in its third year and can continue through a three-year cycle because ships take about three years to build. This cycle is qualitatively better than 2011 because it is earnings-driven rather than a bubble, and the current chart position is the test of whether it extends.
Lee Kwon-hee CEO, Economist 2:17
Hanwha Aerospace may peak this year.
Defense leader Hanwha Aerospace is in its third year and may peak this year; the defense order cycle also takes about three years, leaving the stock in a late-cycle, limited-upside position.
Lee Kwon-hee CEO, Economist 5:39
KEPCO E&C can enter US independently.
He changed his view on KEPCO E&C from negative to positive because it can finally advance into the US market and break free from being tied only to KHNP. Although it still pays royalties and is linked to APR1400/Westinghouse, the key change is independent overseas sales; he would buy when the US entry is announced, comparing it to a domestic company becoming an independent exporter.
Lee Kwon-hee CEO, Economist 7:34
BHI benefits from all power plant boilers.
BHI makes heat-recovery boilers and HRSG equipment used in thermal, nuclear, and gas power plants, so rising electricity demand and new plant construction should increase orders. Its valuation is cheaper than Doosan Enerbility, and it benefits alongside Doosan as a power-plant equipment supplier rather than a pure nuclear play.
Lee Kwon-hee CEO, Economist 11:00
LS Electric gains from data-center power demand.
AI data-center buildout and replacement of old grid equipment are driving power-equipment demand. LS Electric rallied because switchgear and distribution panels are going into data centers, adding a new growth layer; although other companies are also preparing, the demand theme remains positive.
Lee Kwon-hee CEO, Economist 12:25
Cameco benefits from US uranium support.
The US is trying to domesticate high-grade uranium supply and is subsidizing uranium mining and processing. Cameco, a Canadian company with high-grade uranium mines, is starting to show revenue and should benefit from the nuclear fuel supply chain.
Lee Kwon-hee CEO, Economist 13:58
Sanil Electric benefits from renewable transformers.
Renewable power is intermittent and requires more inverters and special transformers, making Sanil Electric a beneficiary of renewable equipment demand. The speaker still prefers nuclear for the mid-to-long term, so this is a secondary positive.
Lee Kwon-hee CEO, Economist 16:23
Hyundai and Daewoo win nuclear construction work.
Even if KHNP does not win US nuclear orders, if US companies build reactors, Hyundai E&C and Daewoo E&C are likely to handle the construction. They are the construction beneficiaries of the nuclear buildout, while Doosan supplies components.
Lee Kwon-hee CEO, Economist 18:14
KEPCO is central to power grid expansion.
KEPCO has already rallied but still trades below PBR 1, and the speaker expects further upside. It is central to Korea's needed power-grid expansion and nuclear buildout, and it holds nuclear design licenses together with KEPCO E&C; electricity price hikes alone do not explain the move.
Lee Kwon-hee CEO, Economist 18:58
Woojin and Woori Technology benefit from I&C.
As nuclear plants are built, instrumentation and control localization and maintenance demand should rise, with measurement/control likely arriving faster than maintenance. He names Woojin and Woori Technology as the I&C plays; Woori Technology may move later after installations, so pre-moving it is questionable.
Lee Kwon-hee CEO, Economist 18:58
Woojin and Woori Technology benefit from I&C.
As nuclear plants are built, instrumentation and control localization and maintenance demand should rise, with measurement/control likely arriving faster than maintenance. He names Woojin and Woori Technology as the I&C plays; Woori Technology may move later after installations, so pre-moving it is questionable.
Lee Kwon-hee CEO, Economist 20:54
Uranium prices should rise with nuclear.
The nuclear renaissance and supply-security concerns should push uranium prices higher, though the speaker says this is not the main point of the nuclear thesis.
Up Next

This 815 Money Talk (815머니톡) video, published January 17, 2026, features Lee Kwon-hee discussing 034020.KS, 009540.KS, 012450.KS, 052690.KS, 083650.KQ, 010120.KS, CCJ, 062040.KS, 000720.KS, 047040.KS, 015760.KS, Woori Technology, Woojin, URA. 13 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.

Speakers: Lee Kwon-hee  · Tickers: 034020.KS, 009540.KS, 012450.KS, 052690.KS, 083650.KQ, 010120.KS, CCJ, 062040.KS, 000720.KS, 047040.KS, 015760.KS, Woori Technology, Woojin, URA