Samsung and SK Hynix Refuse KEPCO's 25 Trillion Won Power Prepayment for the Chip Mega Clusters

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Reuters obtained a document showing Samsung and SK Hynix told the state utility it would be difficult to accept a combined 25 trillion won ($18.7B) upfront electricity payment, roughly five years of bills, that KEPCO wanted in order to fund grid buildout for the planned fab clusters. The chipmakers cited uncertainty over the long-term durability of semiconductor demand. It is a rare case of AI-adjacent buyers refusing to prefinance the power their own expansion requires.