South Korea

Energy strategies in South Korea

Population growth will lead to spiralling increases in energy demand,which is projected to increase by approx. 3% per year trough 2020.. If emissions from fossil-fuel combustion are to remain stable, huge efforts must be made to source the new energy requirements from non-traditional sources - new and renewable energy. South Korea is expected to increase the consumption of coal for electricity generation.

Energy policy of the country:

1. more than 10% reduction of total national energy consumption
2. provision of approx. 5% of energy neeeds from RES by 2011: increased use of PV power, fuel cells, introduction of natural gas buses in large cities. New energy includes hydrogen, sinthetic fuel from coal liquefaction/gasification, and other renewables: solar thermal, biomass, wind, waste, hydro, geothermal and marine.

IEA sees the potential for RE to satisfy 30% of the country's electricity needs. South Korea has established the National Vision for Environmental Policies in the 21st century. An important part of national energy programme is the support of demonstration projects with industry as a major partner, providing valuable experience & developing markets for the new technologies.

Most plentful agricultural residues in the Country: rice straw and rice hulls, but < 20% of the material is used as a fuel (briquettes: principal use domestic & small scale heating ). This material is mostly recycled as compost or animal feed.

Long term target of increasing share of RE to > 5% of total energy supply by 2010. Technologies selected for development include: wind power, PV, fuel cells, biomass and power generation from waste.

Waste to energy and small hydropower are expected to make a smaller contribution to RE power generation over the longer term, while wind power, PV and fuel cells will increase their share.
At present most WTs and PV systems have been installed on remote islands where they are competitive compared with other power plants such as diesel generators.

Renewable Energy Wholesale Suppliers in South Korea: Source Guides

Market Report on RES in South Korea: Globe-Net

Association of Southeast Asian Nations