In the April 2025 to March 2026 period, South Korea's electricity consumption showcased a dominant reliance on fossil fuels, with more than 60% of electricity derived from fossil energy sources such as coal and gas. Coal contributed to about a third of the electricity generation, while gas added slightly more than a quarter. In contrast, low-carbon energy sources collectively made up a bit less than 40% of the electricity mix, led by nuclear power, which stood at more than a quarter, translating to 26.76%. Solar power contributed over 7%, followed by biofuels, which had less than 2%, and hydropower, making up close to 1.2%. The data highlights the importance of transitioning towards cleaner energy sources to reduce South Korea's reliance on fossil fuels, which are a major contributor to climate change and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in South Korea?

Electricity consumption in South Korea experienced a slight decline, signaling a cause for concern in terms of the country's quest for sustainable energy expansion. The total electricity consumption per person in 2026 stood slightly under 12,133 kWh, marking a decrease of 50 kWh from the previous year’s record in 2025. Concurrently, low-carbon electricity generation dropped by over 209 kWh per person from the previous year, reaching around 4,460 kWh per person. This downward trend could potentially hinder South Korea's efforts to address the increasing electricity demand driven by growing electrification needs and the rise of AI technologies.

Suggestions

To effectively boost low-carbon electricity generation, South Korea should focus on expanding its already extensive nuclear capacity. With nuclear energy contributing significantly to the current electricity mix, scaling up this source presents a practical pathway toward significantly enhancing low-carbon electricity generation. Additionally, South Korea can benefit from adopting successful strategies from other regions; for example, France's impressive reliance on nuclear power, generating 67% of its electricity, makes it a leading example for nuclear expansion. Solar energy should also be prioritized, drawing inspiration from states like Nevada and countries such as Lebanon and Chile, which successfully harness solar technology by producing 31% and 24% of their electricity from solar energy, respectively.

History

South Korea's foray into low-carbon electricity has been characterized by notable developments, particularly in the nuclear sector. In the late 1980s, nuclear energy saw substantial growth, marked by consistent yearly increases, peaking in the late 1990s and 2000s with significant increments such as 12.6 TWh in 1998 and 16.1 TWh in 2005. However, there have been periods of stagnation and decline, notably in 2013 and 2017-2018 when reductions of 11.5 TWh, 13.6 TWh, and 14.9 TWh were recorded, respectively. Nevertheless, efforts to revitalize nuclear output have been evident with recent enhancements, notably in 2022 with an expansion of 17.2 TWh. These fluctuations underscore the critical need for consistent investment and commitment to nurturing and expanding low-carbon technologies, particularly nuclear, to secure a sustainable and significant share of clean energy in South Korea's future electricity landscape.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Apr 2025 – Mar 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.