Renewable energy in South Korea - statistics & facts

In 2021, South Korea ranked 12th in terms of energy consumption per capita and consumed more than three times the global average. In 2022, the country also ranked eighth in electricity generation. With the Green New Deal passed in 2020 and the Third Energy Master Plan in 2019, the South Korean government has made clear it seeks to develop the renewable energy industry as concerns of climate change loom.

Reliance on fossil fuels

With a lack of natural resources and an overreliance on imports, South Korea has identified a need to develop its renewable energy sector to keep up with the growing domestic energy demand. But as of 2022, electric power generation continued to lean heavily on coal and LNG, with just under 10 percent coming from renewable sources. South Korea has been attempting to diversify its fuel sources, but weaning dependence on resource-rich countries to sustain energy demands remains complicated with shifting political climates. For example, despite a decrease in crude oil imports in recent years, coal, oil, and gas continued to be purchased from Russia despite sanctions since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in early 2022.

Growth in renewables

Despite this, there have been noticeable developments in the domestic renewable energy sector. The production of new and renewable energy more than doubled from 2010 to 2021. Renewables took up over five percent of energy consumption in 2021, and figures have increased overall for the past decade. The amount of renewable energy from photovoltaics produced saw an over 30-fold increase from 2010 to 2021. Further, the number of wind power plants tripled from 2011 to 2021. With these developments, the share of wind and solar energy in electricity production rose from less than one percent in 2011 to almost five percent in 2021.

Outlook on South Korea’s renewable energy

By 2040, South Korea aims to have renewable energy account for one-third of its power generation and to become carbon neutral by 2050. It also aims to have over half of its renewable energy supply come from photovoltaics by 2030. However, given that the amount of investment and sales are struggling to reach pre-2018 levels, whether these goals will be met is yet to be determined.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Statista Research Department, Sep 1, 2023

Key insights

Share of renewables in energy consumption
5.1%
Share of renewable and new energy in power generation
9.4%
Supply of renewable energy
4,275MW
Get more insights

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Distribution of power generation in South Korea in 2022, by energy source

Energy

Power generation in South Korea 2022, by type

Volume of renewable energy produced using hydropower in South Korea from 2010 to 2021 (in 1,000 toe)

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Renewable energy produced using hydropower South Korea 2010-2021

Cumulative installed new and renewable energy supply capacity in South Korea in 2021, by energy source (in megawatts)

Renewable Energy

Cumulative new and renewable energy supply capacity South Korea 2021, by source

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