Proprietary data
Data Center Power & Policy in South Korea
Every government action on data centers and power in South Korea that we have verified: moratoriums, grid rules, incentives, tariffs and plans, with the power indicators that drive site selection.
By Amit Jain
Reviewed by Deepti Agrawal
Updated 8 October 2026
In short
As of 8 October 2026, DC Market Insights tracks 7 government actions on data centers and power in South Korea, 2 of them in force. We have found no moratorium or restriction on new data centers in force in South Korea.
Market snapshot
South Korea power and policy: key facts
- Renewable share of electricity generation: 9.8% (2025). Rank 13 of 16 tracked countries, highest first.
- Latest change: Region-based electricity tariffs and dedicated AI data centre tariff (Government of Korea (Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment), 29 Jun 2026).
- By type: 3 plan or strategy, 1 power tariff, 1 grid access and 1 incentive.
Power indicators for South Korea
Latest official figure for each indicator, with earlier years where we have them.
In force now in South Korea
Plan or strategy (2)
National AI Computing Center project: operator selection of Samsung SDS-led consortium
MSIT finalised selection of a Samsung SDS-led consortium as operator of the national AI computing centre in Haenam. Initial capital is 400 billion won and total investment 2.5 trillion won; the facility is to hold 15,000 advanced AI semiconductor units by 2028, with the SPC to be set up in Q2 and construction to begin in Q3 2026.
2.5 trillion KRW total investment Announced 'Sunday' per article dated 12 May 2026, i.e. 10 May 2026
11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand (2024-2038)
Plan notified 21 Feb 2025 by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. For the first time it reflects data centre and electrification demand separately. Data centre demand is projected from new KEPCO electricity-use applications multiplied by utilisation rates, adding 15.5 TWh of consumption and 4.4 GW of summer peak by 2038 versus trend; 2023 data centre demand was 5.0 TWh (0.6 GW). 2038 summer peak target demand is 129.3 GW.
4.4 GW added summer peak from data centres b Plan text: '’38년 전력소비량 15.5TWh, 최대전력( ) 하계 4.4GW 증가'; 2023 actual data centre demand '5.0TWh, 0.6GW'
Announced and proposed
Measures that are not yet in force. Status changes when the rule takes effect or is withdrawn.
Region-based electricity tariffs and dedicated AI data centre tariff
As part of the 29 June 2026 AI data centre plan, the government plans a new electricity pricing system with region-based tariffs offering more competitive rates, and a dedicated tariff for AI data centres.
National AI data centre investment plan: 18.4 GW AI data centre capacity with SK, GS and Naver
Government plan announced 29 June 2026: 550 trillion won with domestic companies; first phase 8.4 GW of AI data centre capacity by 2029 (SK 1 GW each in Ulsan, Honam and the central region; Naver Sejong to 1 GW; GS 2.4 GW in Donghae), reaching 18.4 GW combined. Also transmission line capacity expansion and a target of 100 GW renewables by 2030.
18.4 GW AI data centre capacity
Special Act on the Promotion of the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Industry (AIDC Special Act)
At a 16 June 2026 National AI Strategy Committee policy seminar, MSIT outlined key provisions of the AIDC Special Act: integrated processing of permits and approvals for data centre construction, designation of specialised AIDC zones (with financial support for companies in those zones among the matters the committee reviews), and exemptions from power grid impact assessments for projects outside the metropolitan area. The act is scheduled to take effect in March 2027 (source gives month only). The source does not state when the act passed the National Assembly or was promulgated.
Carbon-Zero Underwater Data Center Standard Model Development Project (Ulsan)
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries selected Ulsan for the Carbon-Zero Underwater Data Center Standard Model Development Project and will provide 40 billion won (about USD 29 million) of central government funding over five years for a seawater-cooled data centre off Ulsan; site analysis and basic design start in 2026, demonstration by 2030, commercial construction from 2031.
40 billion KRW central funding
MSIT measures to bring large private data centres under the government disaster management system
Following the October 2022 Kakao data centre fire, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced that all large data centres will be subject to a government disaster management system with regular inspections and safety drills, plus nationwide inspections of data centres and network infrastructure; small and mid-sized companies are likely to be exempt.
Timeline of data center and power policy in South Korea
| Date | Action | Type | Status | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Jun 2026 | Region-based electricity tariffs and dedicated AI data centre tariff | Power tariff | Announced | Government of Korea (Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment) |
| 29 Jun 2026 | National AI data centre investment plan: 18.4 GW AI data centre capacity with SK, GS and Naver | Plan or strategy | Announced | Government of Korea (Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment; Ministry of Science and ICT) |
| 16 Jun 2026 | Special Act on the Promotion of the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Industry (AIDC Special Act) | Grid access | Announced | Ministry of Science and ICT; National AI Strategy Committee |
| 10 May 2026 | National AI Computing Center project: operator selection of Samsung SDS-led consortium Haenam, South Jeolla | Plan or strategy | In force | Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) |
| 10 Apr 2026 | Carbon-Zero Underwater Data Center Standard Model Development Project (Ulsan) Ulsan | Incentive | Announced | Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries |
| 21 Feb 2025 | 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand (2024-2038) | Plan or strategy | In force | Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) |
| 21 Oct 2022 | MSIT measures to bring large private data centres under the government disaster management system | Regulation | Announced | Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) |
How South Korea compares
Latest official figures for the countries we track.
| Country | Industrial power price | Renewable share | Grid emission factor | Restrictions in force | Incentives in force |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | — | 39% (2025) | — | 0 | 2 |
| Bangladesh | — | 2% (2025) | — | 0 | 0 |
| France | 104 USD/MWh (2025) | 27% (2025) | 0.02 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 0 | 1 |
| Germany | 180 USD/MWh (2025) | 58.8% (2025) | 0.34 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 1 | 0 |
| India | 82.1 USD/MWh (2025) | 28.7% (2026) | 0.68 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 0 | 5 |
| Indonesia | 62.9 USD/MWh (2024) | 16.3% (2025) | 0.68 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 0 | 1 |
| Ireland | 234 USD/MWh (2025) | 41.3% (2024) | 0.20 kgCO2/kWh (2025) | 2 | 0 |
| Japan | — | 23.1% (2024) | 0.45 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 0 | 0 |
| Malaysia | 105 USD/MWh (2026) | 21% (2025) | 0.74 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 1 | 1 |
| Netherlands | 148 USD/MWh (2025) | 49% (2025) | 0.20 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 4 | 0 |
| Pakistan | 97.5 USD/MWh (2026) | 34.7% (2025) | — | 0 | 1 |
| Singapore | 189 USD/MWh (2025) | 2.1% (2024) | 0.40 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 0 | 0 |
| South Korea | — | 9.8% (2025) | — | 0 | 0 |
| United Arab Emirates | 120 USD/MWh (2026) | 8.8% (2024) | 0.47 kgCO2/kWh (2024) | 0 | 0 |
| United Kingdom | 234 USD/MWh (2026) | 52.1% (2025) | 0.15 kgCO2/kWh (2026) | 1 | 1 |
| United States | 86.2 USD/MWh (2025) | 24% (2025) | 0.35 kgCO2/kWh (2023) | 0 | 1 |
Questions
Is there a data center moratorium in South Korea?
We have found no moratorium or restriction on new data centers in force in South Korea as of 8 October 2026. Proposed or announced measures, if any, are listed in the timeline.
How much of South Korea’s electricity is renewable?
Renewables supplied 9.8% of electricity generation in South Korea in 2025.
Where does this data come from?
Each action comes from a page we opened: a law, regulation, gazette notice, ministry or regulator release, grid operator notice or investment agency page, and only when official text is not available a company or trade publication. A second analyst re-opens the source before an item is published. Government sources are linked on the page; all sources come with the Excel data.
What counts as a restriction or moratorium?
A government or grid operator rule that stops, pauses, caps or conditions new data center capacity or grid connections, for a country or a region within it. Proposals are shown as proposed until they take effect.
How are power prices compared?
We use each country’s official statistics for industrial or non-household electricity, converted to US dollars per MWh at the average rate for the year where needed, and show the year and source. Contract prices for data centers can differ.
How often is it updated?
Countries are reviewed on a rolling schedule and changes are added as they are announced. Each item shows the date of the action.
Choosing a market or a site?
Our analysts prepare country briefings on power, grid access, incentives and permits, with every source, in Excel.