Agenda
Challenges
This paper briefly pictures the South Korea energy background by analysing every energy sector apart (Oil, Natural Gas, Coal, Electricity) and in the end pin-points the country’s actual energy overview (in terms of statistics).
Political
Since 1960, the South Korea economy has grown more than 15 times, energy consumption increased up to 10 times, crude oil consumption remained steady the last decade at about 2 million barrels per day; nevertheless CO2 emissions have been reduced. This development reflects an increase in energy and CO2 efficiency.
Status
Growth
Since 1960, the South Korea economy has grown more than 15 times, energy consumption increased up to 10 times; crude oil consumption remained steady the last decade at about 2 million barrels per day. Nevertheless CO2 emissions have been reduced. This development reflects an increase in energy and CO2 efficiency. Renewable energy in South Korea today accounts only to 2.4% of the final energy consumption but the situation is likely to change due the bold solar, wind and tidal energy projects currently underway.
Institutional Structure
Agency
The Republic of Korea doesn't have a special agency dealing with energy issues. The sole energy policy maker is the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) [formerly the Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE)]. It is responsible for ensuring a stable and steady energy supply to meet the nation's growing energy demand, thus powering a sustainable growth.
Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
Korea Energy Economics Institute (KEEI)
In September 1986 The Korea Energy Economics Institute (KEEI) was launched as the nation's principal energy policy research organization. The Institute is responsible for collecting, analysing and disseminating trends and information on domestic and overseas energy-related issues, as well developing policy and study support systems for new and renewable energy associated with regional energy and conducting research on infrastructure building for “low carbon, green growth”.
Korea Energy Economics Institute (KEEI)
Budget
Current
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy, now the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, said that it plans to spend a total of 409.5 billion won on various renewable energy initiatives in 2006, a 26.3% increase from 324.2 billion won in 2005. 124.4 billion won would be set aside this year on developing new technologies such as fuel and photovoltaic cells and offshore wind turbines.
History
The Alternative Energy Act (1987) constituted the initial framework for the development of new and renewable energy technologies. It aimed to secure cost-effective renewable energy by fitting the energy supply to the characteristics off the area and through cost effective business modelling. It encouraged the installation of waste-incineration plants to generate heat and power. It also promoted residential solar heaters, small hydropower plants and facilities to use methane gas.
Key Policies
Recent Legislation
The objective of the plan is to attain a 3% share of New and Renewable Energy by 2006 and 5% by 2012. It aims to have 100 000 PV roofs and 70,000 buildings by 2012 (total capacity of 1,3 GW). More technically, it aims to increase the PV module efficiency from 12 % to 15 % by 2006, and to 18 % by 2010.
Promoting Solar Powered Housing
In 2006 South Korean government agreed to help finance the redesign of over 2000 homes to use solar eneregy as part of an effort to promote renewable energy. Homeowners will be compensated for 70% of the construction costs. In 2005, 907 homes were renovated.
Miscellaneous
Further Information
In 2005 South Korean government announced that plans are well underway for a tidal energy power plant off the South Korean coast that developers say will be the largest such project in the world. Known as the Sihwa Tidal Power Plant, the project would generate 260 MW from the constant flow of water in and out of a seaside bay. The project was expected to be completed by 2009 but it's still under construction.
Transition to Globalisation
South Korea Planning Massive Off Shore Wind Farm
Wind energy currently meets a mere 1.5% of global electricity generation. But scientists foresee a lot of potential in this alternative energy source. Asian countries are also trying to embrace clean and green energy.
Globalisation > Economy > Energy > Sources > Renewable > Wind
Transition to Tools
ASEAN Sets Ambitious Green Energy Goals
The ASEAN Energy Ministers will focus on the reduction with the reduction with 8% of the energy intensity in the area until 2005 and also agreed to increasing the share of renewable energy to 15% in the next 5 years.
Tools > Regional > Asia > ASEAN > Dom. Policies > Economy > Energy
Transition to Actors
WWEA Launches Working Group on Community Power
Decentralised investment and participation of local communities is key for utilisation of wind energy on a large scale and for effective climate change mitigation.
Actors > Civil society > NGOs > Environment
