Korea’s Energy Transition: Between Old Reliance and New Demands
South Korea is once again debating how it will power its future. The argument, once a matter for policy experts and engineers, has spilled into public view as the government leans more heavily on nuclear energy while pledging to expand renewables. The tension reflects a broader dilemma: how to meet rising demand without falling behind in the global push for cleaner power.
Nuclear power has long served as the backbone of the nation's energy mix. Critics concede it provides stability, yet argue the country has lagged in building wind and solar capacity. In 2023, renewables made up less than 10 percent of electricity generation - a figure that places South Korea near the bottom among advanced economies. Earlier this year, officials approved the 11th Basic Plan, which calls for renewable capacity to more than double by 2030. Few expect that goal to be easily met.
The obstacles are familiar. Transmission upgrades have stalled, leaving bottlenecks that slow the connection of new projects. Local reactions to wind projects have been uneven. Some towns object, saying turbines could harm fragile ecosystems or disrupt the flow of visitors that sustain local economies. On Jeju Island, the government's fast-track approval of a new offshore site drew praise from renewable advocates, while many residents voiced unease about what the project might mean for the island's coastline.
Meanwhile, South Korea's technology boom is rewriting the energy equation. Semiconductor fabrication plants and artificial intelligence data centers consume vast amounts of power, and officials have leaned on liquefied natural gas to fill the gaps left by intermittent renewable supply. That dependence complicates the government's pledge to cut emissions.
"South Korea is walking a tightrope," said Park Jae-hyun, an energy economist at a state-funded institute. "The country must guarantee electricity for its industries while signaling to the world that it takes decarbonization seriously. That balance has proven elusive."
To break the deadlock, policymakers have tried to accelerate approvals for clean projects and to expand cooperation with allies. In recent years, Seoul has deepened ties with Britain and the United States, moving beyond technology transfers to joint research efforts. Such partnerships could allow Korean firms to export expertise while positioning the country as a bridge between developed and emerging economies confronting similar trade-offs.
The outcome will be closely watched. South Korea's struggle is not unique, but the choices it makes - whether doubling down on nuclear, speeding up renewables, or leaning on imported gas - may offer a preview of how other nations navigate the same collision of economic growth, energy security and climate responsibility.
