Signal Korea's 11th Basic Plan adds 15.5TWh of data-centre demand above trend by 2038

Summary

The eleventh Basic Plan keeps data centres as an additional-demand item counted separately from the model-based outlook. Its estimate draws on applications for electricity service filed with KEPCO, focusing on cases judged capable of being supplied. On that basis the plan projects data centre consumption in 2038 at 15.5TWh above the existing trend, with 4.4GW of extra peak load. The tenth plan had already used a KEPCO intention survey and average demand per facility, while also assuming better power usage effectiveness. The author treats this as clear progress in recognising data centre growth, though the estimate still rests on connection requests rather than technology variables.