In 2025, electricity consumption in South Korea is primarily driven by fossil sources, accounting for close to 60% of the total generation. Coal and gas are nearly on par, providing almost one-third and just above a quarter of the electricity respectively. On the low-carbon front, South Korea is making significant contributions to clean energy, with around 38% of its electricity generated from low-carbon sources. Nuclear power plays a pivotal role, supplying more than one-quarter of the electricity alone, while solar covers an additional 7%. Other low-carbon sources, such as biofuels and hydropower, contribute minimal amounts of electricity. The current state underscores the reliance on both fossil and nuclear energy, with solar gaining ground, but there's room for growth in sustainable energy sectors.
Data sources used on this page include EIA and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in South Korea?
Electricity consumption in South Korea is experiencing modest growth. In 2025, the total electricity consumption reached 12,183 kWh per person, which is a minor increase from the previous record in 2024 by just 17 kWh per person. The contribution of low-carbon electricity generation is also witnessing a small yet positive uptick, increasing from 4,647 kWh per person in 2024 to 4,670 kWh in 2025, marking a rise of 23 kWh per person. While these numbers suggest incremental progress, the growth rates indicate room for substantial improvement to meet the future demands of electrification and emerging technologies like AI, which will require robust and expanding electricity supply.
Suggestions
South Korea can enhance its low-carbon electricity generation by expanding its existing nuclear infrastructure, given its already substantial contribution. Looking toward successful regions can offer valuable lessons. France and Slovakia showcase remarkable nuclear electricity generation at approximately two-thirds of their total electricity, proving that with robust policy support, nuclear can dominate the low-carbon energy mix. Concurrently, solar energy is seeing substantial growth in regions like Nevada and California, generating around a third of their electricity, which South Korea could emulate. By embracing a strategy that combines substantial nuclear expansion with growing solar capabilities, South Korea can significantly augment its clean energy portfolio and reduce its dependence on environmentally harmful fossil fuels.
History
In examining the history of low-carbon electricity in South Korea, it is evident that nuclear energy has experienced significant fluctuations over the decades. The late 1980s and 1990s saw robust growth in nuclear electricity, with annual increases frequently exceeding 10 TWh. However, setbacks occurred in the mid-2010s, notably between 2013 and 2018, when drastic declines, peaking at a drop of nearly 15 TWh, suggest misguided policy directions. Thankfully, by 2019, the trend reversed with an addition of 12.4 TWh, continuing positively into the early 2020s. Most recently in 2024, nuclear energy saw another increase of 7.6 TWh, signifying a promising revival. By stabilizing and expanding its nuclear energy capacity, South Korea can ensure a reliable low-carbon electricity supply essential for future growth.
