South Korea will sharply increase 2027 energy-technology R&D spending, prioritising nuclear to ensure power for AI data centres, the Ministry of Science and ICT said. The ministry’s 2027 energy-technology R&D budget is 733.6 bln won, up 48% YoY. Under the government proposal, nuclear R&D rises to a record 386.4 bln won, +16.6% YoY. Small modular reactor (SMR) research, one of seven seed projects, jumps 55.7% to 127.5 bln won and is the main growth driver. Nuclear fusion R&D more than doubles to

South Korea will sharply increase 2027 energy-technology R&D spending, prioritising nuclear to ensure power for AI data centres, the Ministry of Science and ICT said. The ministry’s 2027 energy-technology R&D budget is 733.6 bln won, up 48% YoY. Under the government proposal, nuclear R&D rises to a record 386.4 bln won, +16.6% YoY. Small modular reactor (SMR) research, one of seven seed projects, jumps 55.7% to 127.5 bln won and is the main growth driver. Nuclear fusion R&D more than doubles to 284 bln won. Renewables R&D increases 64% to 21.5 bln won.