Chinese energy giant opens new plant in South Korea as AI ambitions intensify power crisis
The state-owned firm’s new project, independently managed by the company’s South Korean subsidiary, brings its number of power facilities in the country to five
Chinese companies are deepening their participation in South Korea’s energy sector as state-owned nuclear giant CGN Energy International begins operations at a self-developed power project, helping supply China’s power-hungry neighbour amid a surge in electricity demand driven by an artificial intelligence boom.
The gas-fired facility, located in Seosan, northwestern South Korea, commenced commercial operations on Friday. With an installed capacity of 557 megawatts, it was expected to generate up to 3.9 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, according to the state-run China Energy News.
“The project serves as a key flagship for us as we shift towards greenfield developments and explore running major overseas power plants independently,” Zhang Chaoqun, president of CGN Energy International, was quoted as saying by the outlet.
Notably, the report said the plant’s turbines were hydrogen-ready, capable of burning a 30 per cent hydrogen blend. This allows for a potential path to lower-carbon power generation as the green hydrogen supply chain matures.
The newly launched plant marks CGN Energy International’s first large-scale, gas-fired power-generation project to adopt an independent management model, the company said in a May statement. Its South Korean subsidiary oversaw every phase – from design and procurement to construction and commissioning – a set-up that the company said helped control costs and keep the build on schedule while involving more than 100 local firms.
CGN Energy International now operates five power facilities in South Korea, bringing its total installed capacity in the country to 2.2 gigawatts, China Energy News reported on Friday. CGN Energy International is a subsidiary of China General Nuclear Power Corporation and is positioned as its entity for overseas clean-energy projects, according to its website.