South Korea’s energy system and its energy policy are undergoing a profound transformation. South Korea traditionally relies on fuel imports. Around 40 percent of the total electricity is produced from coal and 30 percent from nuclear. But, despite its land constraints, the country is currently redefining its long-term energy plan with the aim to increase the share of renewable energy and to reduce coal and nuclear dependency. Renewable energy is targeted to be 20 percent of power generation by 2030; more than half of the necessary capacity shall come from solar PV (36 GW) and a third from wind (17 GW). Thus, the discussion about systemic challenges and how to integrate variable renewable energy into the system in order not to endanger system reliability is proceeding.
In this light, Agora Energiewende is cooperating with the Korean Think Tank Green Energy Strategy Institute (GESI). With this partnership, Germany's experience with the expansion of renewable energies will be utilisable for South Korea, but above all, it will strengthen bilateral exchange on issues relating to the transformation of energy systems. Joint activities include the development of an alternative energy scenario for South Korea that addresses the potential of renewable energies in other sectors (heat/cooling, transport), as well as studies on the cost development of renewable energies and market design issues.
