In 2024, South Korea's electricity consumption is predominantly reliant on fossil fuels, which account for approximately 60% of the total. Coal and gas contribute almost evenly within this segment, making up about 30% and 29% respectively. Low-carbon energy sources thus comprise around 40% of electricity generation, with nuclear power being a significant contributor at approximately 30%. Solar power adds a modest share of around 5%, while biofuels contribute slightly over 3%. Considering the pressing need to address climate change and reduce air pollution, South Korea has some progress in integrating clean electricity sources but still has a substantial reliance on fossil fuels.
Is Electricity Growing in South Korea?
The latest electricity consumption figures for South Korea show a slight decline compared to previous years. In 2022, the average consumption per person was a historic high of approximately 12,062 kWh, but in 2024, it slightly decreased to 12,020 kWh per person, marking a change of -42 kWh per person. On a brighter note, low-carbon electricity generation increased, reaching 4,799 kWh per person in 2024 from the previous record of 4,565 in 2023, showing a positive change of 234 kWh. This growth in clean electricity is encouraging, indicating South Korea's efforts toward more sustainable energy, albeit the overall electricity consumption trend is a slight cause for concern.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, South Korea could focus on expanding its nuclear capacity, as this is already a significant part of its energy mix. Learning from countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear power contributes around 68% and 62% respectively to their electricity generation, South Korea can secure a stronger low-carbon profile. Additionally, harnessing lessons from Denmark, where wind power represents over half of their electricity, could guide South Korea to diversify its clean electricity pool, especially through investments in nuclear and solar energy infrastructures. The pursuit of increased solar energy, drawing inspiration from countries like Lebanon, where solar power contributes around 31%, would further bolster South Korea's clean energy targets.
History
Historically, South Korea's journey in nuclear energy has witnessed both impressive expansions and notable setbacks. The late 1980s and 1990s saw substantial growth, with the late 1990s particularly featuring significant annual increases. However, the early 2010s observed a concerning decline, with substantial reductions in nuclear energy generation noted in 2013 and 2017-2018, reflecting significant challenges. Fortunately, recent years have seen a resurgence, with positive trends in nuclear capacity from 2019 onward, culminating in further expansion by 2024. This history underscores the importance of consistent commitment to low-carbon energy expansion.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.