Feb 21, 2025
South Korea reduces its plans for nuclear energy.
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South Korea has adjusted its nuclear energy strategy after the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was a supporter of nuclear power.
As reported by Bloomberg, the opposition Democratic Party now plays a more significant role in shaping the country’s energy policy.
The government aims to increase nuclear capacity by 3.5GW by 2038, which is a reduction from the earlier plan of 4.9GW, while slightly raising renewable energy capacity to 122GW from 120GW.
The cancellation of a proposed 1.4GW reactor aligns with the Democratic Party’s favoring of renewable energy sources.
Nonetheless, South Korea still intends to construct a 700MW small modular reactor by 2036 and seeks to decrease its dependency on coal and natural gas.
During his presidency, Yoon emphasized nuclear power as a strategy for lowering emissions, contrasting with the previous government's anti-nuclear viewpoint.
His impeachment was a result of his failed effort to declare martial law in December 2024.
Heavily reliant on fossil fuels, South Korea has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40% compared to 2018 levels by 2030.
However, this target remains behind that of other countries. The nation also failed to submit a revised climate target to the United Nations, even after a Constitutional Court ruling stated that not having incremental climate goals from 2030 to 2050 is unconstitutional.
The energy strategy anticipates a decrease in the use of coal and liquefied natural gas, with LNG projected to represent 11% and coal 10% of electricity generation by 2038.
Additionally, South Korea plans to integrate hydrogen and ammonia for co-firing in existing coal plants, with the goal of these fuels making up over 6% of the power mix by 2038.
In a related event, in November 2024, Synera Renewable Energy Group, a Taiwanese offshore wind developer, announced a joint venture with Moondo Wind Energy to advance offshore wind projects in South Korea.
The joint venture, named Moondo Offshore Wind Energy, will focus on developing an 840MW wind farm near Geomundo Island, Yeosu City, in Jeollanam-do Province, located at the southwestern tip of the Korean peninsula.
As reported by Bloomberg, the opposition Democratic Party now plays a more significant role in shaping the country’s energy policy.
The government aims to increase nuclear capacity by 3.5GW by 2038, which is a reduction from the earlier plan of 4.9GW, while slightly raising renewable energy capacity to 122GW from 120GW.
The cancellation of a proposed 1.4GW reactor aligns with the Democratic Party’s favoring of renewable energy sources.
Nonetheless, South Korea still intends to construct a 700MW small modular reactor by 2036 and seeks to decrease its dependency on coal and natural gas.
During his presidency, Yoon emphasized nuclear power as a strategy for lowering emissions, contrasting with the previous government's anti-nuclear viewpoint.
His impeachment was a result of his failed effort to declare martial law in December 2024.
Heavily reliant on fossil fuels, South Korea has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40% compared to 2018 levels by 2030.
However, this target remains behind that of other countries. The nation also failed to submit a revised climate target to the United Nations, even after a Constitutional Court ruling stated that not having incremental climate goals from 2030 to 2050 is unconstitutional.
The energy strategy anticipates a decrease in the use of coal and liquefied natural gas, with LNG projected to represent 11% and coal 10% of electricity generation by 2038.
Additionally, South Korea plans to integrate hydrogen and ammonia for co-firing in existing coal plants, with the goal of these fuels making up over 6% of the power mix by 2038.
In a related event, in November 2024, Synera Renewable Energy Group, a Taiwanese offshore wind developer, announced a joint venture with Moondo Wind Energy to advance offshore wind projects in South Korea.
The joint venture, named Moondo Offshore Wind Energy, will focus on developing an 840MW wind farm near Geomundo Island, Yeosu City, in Jeollanam-do Province, located at the southwestern tip of the Korean peninsula.