Now 'Gas Pipes' Will Completely Disappear from Apartments | Kim Seong-hwan, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment

Summary

Minister Kim Seong-hwan outlines water supply plans for the Gwangju semiconductor complex, discusses Korea's ambition to become an 'Electricity Nation' amidst AI and chip-driven power demands, and announces policies to replace gas heating with heat pumps. He also signals openness to new nuclear units and promises a sharp acceleration in renewable energy deployment, while revealing that Samsung and LG have reshored heat pump production from China.

• Water supply for the Gwangju semiconductor fab is secure through dam expansions and recycling, with capacity for over 1 million tons per day.
• Korea promotes the 'Electricity Nation' vision to meet AI data center and chip fab power needs, where electricity supply speed determines national competitiveness.
• Additional nuclear reactors at existing sites like Hanbit are under serious review to fill the power gap while maintaining climate goals.
• Renewable energy additions are set to exceed 10 GW per year starting next year, making the 100 GW by 2030 target achievable.
• Heat pumps will replace gas heating in apartments, eliminating mandatory gas pipes, supported by government subsidies.
• Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics relocated heat pump factories from China to Korea to supply domestic and global demand.
• VPP operators are receiving 50% government co-investment to integrate batteries with renewable energy.
• Improved air quality stems from China's reduced coal emissions and Korea's shift to EVs and cleaner buses.