Global nuclear leaders gather in Busan for AI-era energy

April 22 (Asia Today) -- Global nuclear industry leaders gathered in Busan on Tuesday, highlighting the growing role of nuclear power in meeting surging electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence and data centers.

The Korea Atomic Industrial Forum opened its annual conference at BEXCO, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders and researchers under the theme "Nuclear energy for the AI era."

This year's event is being held alongside the Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference, which returned to South Korea for the first time in 14 years, and the Busan International Nuclear Industry Exhibition. Organizers expect around 19,000 participants.

The event features representatives from 19 countries and 156 companies, making it the largest exhibition of its kind to date.

Participants emphasized that rapid growth in AI technologies is fundamentally reshaping global energy demand. Electricity consumption by data centers is projected to reach 1,300 terawatt-hours by 2035, while AI-related power demand is expected to grow at an annual rate exceeding 120% through 2028.

To meet this demand, major technology companies have significantly increased investments in nuclear energy, with total spending surpassing $30 billion over the past 18 months.

Government policy is also shifting. The United States has set a target to expand nuclear capacity to 400 gigawatts by 2050 - roughly four times current levels - while about 15 new nuclear reactors are expected to come online globally in 2026.

Keynote speakers included Mesut Ozman of Fermi Nuclear, who is leading an 11-gigawatt nuclear project in Texas, and Tomas Ehler of the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade, along with other senior officials and industry executives.

The conference also includes sessions focused on Southeast Asia, where countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam are exploring nuclear energy adoption.

Discussions are covering a wide range of issues, including reactor lifetime extensions, carbon neutrality, artificial intelligence, energy security, small modular reactors and radioactive waste management.

South Korean companies are also expanding their global footprint. Hyundai Engineering & Construction is participating as an engineering, procurement and construction partner in negotiations for four AP1000 reactor projects, while Doosan Enerbility is supplying key components such as reactor vessels and steam generators.

The Czech Republic is also pursuing an expanded nuclear strategy, aiming to increase the share of nuclear power in its energy mix to as much as 50% to 60% through new projects at Dukovany and Temelin.

As energy demand accelerates in the AI era, industry leaders said nuclear power is increasingly being viewed as a reliable and scalable solution to ensure energy security and meet climate goals.

-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260422010007146

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This story was originally published April 22, 2026 at 7:03 PM.