Despite commanding one of the world's most advanced economies, South Korea's energy landscape remains overwhelmingly dominated by fossil fuels, with coal, gas, and oil accounting for a staggering 88.3% of its total energy supply in 2022 while renewables contributed just 5.6%, a reliance underscored by a sobering 9.8% energy self-sufficiency ratio that frames the nation's urgent and complex journey toward a secure, low-carbon future.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, South Korea's total primary energy supply reached 288.5 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe), marking a 1.2% increase from 2021.
- Coal accounted for 37.8% of South Korea's primary energy supply in 2022, totaling 109.1 Mtoe.
- Natural gas contributed 26.4% to primary energy supply in 2022, equivalent to 76.2 Mtoe.
- South Korea's industry sector consumed 48.2% of total final energy in 2022, totaling 69.3 Mtoe.
- Transport sector final energy consumption was 28.6% or 41.1 Mtoe in 2022.
- Residential sector used 12.4% of final energy, 17.8 Mtoe in 2022.
- South Korea's total installed power generation capacity was 148.3 GW at end-2022.
- Coal-fired capacity stood at 39.5 GW, 26.6% of total in 2022.
- Gas-fired capacity was 44.2 GW, 29.8% of total capacity 2022.
- In 2022, South Korea added 20.6 GW of solar PV capacity cumulatively reaching leading position.
- Wind power capacity reached 2.32 GW total by end-2022, with 1.81 GW onshore.
- Offshore wind projects under development total 12 GW as of 2022.
- Energy intensity improved by 2.1% to 0.243 toe/$1000 GDP in 2022.
- CO2 emissions from energy totaled 618 Mt in 2022, up 1.8%.
- Emission intensity of electricity was 512 gCO2/kWh in 2022.
South Korea's energy supply remains dominated by fossil fuels despite slight renewable growth.
Energy Consumption by Sector
1South Korea's industry sector consumed 48.2% of total final energy in 2022, totaling 69.3 Mtoe.
Verified2Transport sector final energy consumption was 28.6% or 41.1 Mtoe in 2022.
Verified3Residential sector used 12.4% of final energy, 17.8 Mtoe in 2022.
Verified4Commercial and public services consumed 10.8% or 15.5 Mtoe in 2022.
Directional5Industry's oil consumption was 12.7 Mtoe in 2022.
Single source6Electricity consumption in industry reached 240.5 TWh in 2022.
Verified7Transport oil use was 38.9 Mtoe, 95% of sector's energy in 2022.
Verified8Residential electricity demand was 78.2 TWh in 2022.
Verified9Commercial sector gas consumption was 9.1 Mtoe in 2022.
Directional10Steel industry's energy use was 32.4 Mtoe, 29% of industrial total in 2022.
Single source11Chemical sector consumed 18.6 Mtoe in industry, 2022.
Verified12Transport final energy intensity improved 1.5% in 2022.
Verified13Household energy per capita was 1.32 toe in 2022.
Verified14Non-energy industrial use was 22.7 Mtoe in 2022.
Directional15Electricity share in industry rose to 32.4% of sector energy in 2022.
Single source16Transport biofuels consumption was 1.2 Mtoe in 2022.
Verified17Commercial electricity use grew 3.2% to 92.1 TWh in 2022.
Verified18Semiconductor industry's power demand surged 15% to 25 TWh in 2022.
Verified19Residential gas use was 12.4 Mtoe, 70% of sector energy in 2022.
Directional20Cement production energy intensity was 3.8 GJ/tonne in 2022.
Single source21Petroleum refining sector used 15.2 Mtoe in 2022.
Verified22EV charging consumed 2.1 TWh in transport sector 2022.
Verified23Agriculture sector final energy was 2.3 Mtoe in 2022.
Verified24Data centers power use hit 4.5 TWh in commercial sector 2022.
DirectionalEnergy Consumption by Sector Interpretation
South Korea's economy runs on a potent industrial espresso shot and a long transport sector commute, with the residential sector sipping a smaller latte and the commercial sector adding a dash of data center sugar, all while the specter of the steel and chemical giants looms large over the energy bill.
Policy Efficiency Emissions
1Energy intensity improved by 2.1% to 0.243 toe/$1000 GDP in 2022.
Verified2CO2 emissions from energy totaled 618 Mt in 2022, up 1.8%.
Verified3Emission intensity of electricity was 512 gCO2/kWh in 2022.
Verified4ETS covered 70% of emissions, trading 38 MtCO2e at 25,000 KRW/ton average 2022.
Directional5Coal phase-out plan retires 34 GW by 2050, 4 GW by 2034.
Single source6Energy efficiency investments 5.2 trillion KRW under Green New Deal 2022.
Verified7Building energy codes saved 8.5 TWh electricity in 2022.
Verified8Industrial energy management systems covered 65% of large factories 2022.
Verified9Top-runner program upgraded appliances, saving 15% energy in white goods 2022.
Directional10CHP capacity 12.5 GW, efficiency 85%, avoiding 12 MtCO2 in 2022.
Single source11LED lighting penetration 92% in public buildings, saving 4 TWh 2022.
Verified12Fuel efficiency standard for cars 13.4 km/L average fleet 2022.
Verified13EV subsidies supported 120,000 units, reducing 0.5 MtCO2 2022.
Verified14Carbon tax equivalent via ETS priced at $20/ton 2022.
Directional15Renewables support via RECs avoided 25 MtCO2 in 2022.
Single source16Nuclear life extension added 5 GW capacity, saving 10 MtCO2 2022.
Verified17Energy audits for SMEs covered 12,000 firms, saving 2.1 Mtoe 2022.
Verified18District heating efficiency 90%, covering 80% urban heat 2022.
Verified19Steel sector CCUS pilot captured 1 MtCO2 cumulatively by 2022.
Directional20Aviation biofuel mandate starts 1% blend 2023, planned 0.5% 2022 trial.
Single source21GHG reduction target NDC 40% by 2030 from 2018, on track 15% by 2022.
Verified22Power sector emissions 420 MtCO2, 68% of total energy emissions 2022.
Verified23Industry emissions 150 MtCO2, down 2% via efficiency 2022.
Verified24Transport emissions 98 MtCO2, up 3% from rebound 2022.
DirectionalPolicy Efficiency Emissions Interpretation
Despite making genuine strides in efficiency and green investment, Korea's carbon diet is being sabotaged by its stubborn power sector and post-pandemic travel, revealing a nation energetically sprinting toward a cleaner future with one foot still stuck in the coal pile.
Power Generation Capacity
1South Korea's total installed power generation capacity was 148.3 GW at end-2022.
Verified2Coal-fired capacity stood at 39.5 GW, 26.6% of total in 2022.
Verified3Gas-fired capacity was 44.2 GW, 29.8% of total capacity 2022.
Verified4Nuclear capacity was 25.7 GW from 24 reactors operational in 2022.
Directional5Renewable capacity reached 28.4 GW, 19.2% of total in 2022.
Single source6Solar PV capacity installed was 22.3 GW at end-2022.
Verified7Wind capacity totaled 2.1 GW onshore and 0.1 GW offshore in 2022.
Verified8Hydro capacity was 3.9 GW in 2022.
Verified9Pumped storage hydro added 7.0 GW to capacity in 2022.
Directional10Biomass capacity was 0.6 GW in 2022.
Single source11Coal generation produced 298.5 TWh, 36.2% of total electricity in 2022.
Verified12Gas generation was 248.2 TWh, 30.1% share in 2022.
Verified13Nuclear generated 187.4 TWh, 22.7% of total in 2022.
Verified14Renewables generated 61.2 TWh, 7.4% of electricity in 2022.
Directional15Total electricity generation was 823.1 TWh in 2022.
Single source16Peak demand reached 102.5 GW in August 2022.
Verified17Oil-fired capacity was 5.6 GW, mostly peaking plants in 2022.
Verified18Solar generation was 38.5 TWh in 2022, up 53% from 2021.
Verified19Wind generation totaled 5.2 TWh in 2022.
Directional20Hydro output was 17.8 TWh, down due to dry weather in 2022.
Single source21Capacity factor for coal plants averaged 62.3% in 2022.
Verified22Nuclear capacity factor was 78.5% in 2022.
Verified23Gas combined cycle plants had 45.2% capacity factor 2022.
Verified24Solar capacity factor was 15.8% in 2022.
Directional25Offshore wind capacity under construction: 1.2 GW as of 2022.
Single source26Total grid transmission lines length: 35,000 km at 765kV and above in 2022.
Verified27Battery storage capacity reached 4.5 GW in 2022.
Verified28Solar capacity grew by 8.7 GW added in 2022.
Verified29Wind capacity addition was 0.4 GW in 2022.
Directional30Retired coal capacity: 0.8 GW in 2022.
Single source31South Korea's renewable capacity target for 2030 is 72.7 GW.
Verified32Solar capacity was 24.4 GW installed by mid-2023, but 22.3 GW end-2022.
VerifiedPower Generation Capacity Interpretation
While South Korea's power grid appears to be having a classic identity crisis—with its reliable but dirty coal and ambitious nuclear flirting at a party while solar desperately tries to get its foot in the door—the sobering reality is that actual electricity generation reveals a grid still overwhelmingly in a long-term, codependent relationship with fossil fuels.
Primary Energy Supply
1In 2022, South Korea's total primary energy supply reached 288.5 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe), marking a 1.2% increase from 2021.
Verified2Coal accounted for 37.8% of South Korea's primary energy supply in 2022, totaling 109.1 Mtoe.
Verified3Natural gas contributed 26.4% to primary energy supply in 2022, equivalent to 76.2 Mtoe.
Verified4Oil made up 24.1% of primary energy supply at 69.5 Mtoe in 2022.
Directional5Renewables provided 5.6% or 16.1 Mtoe to primary energy supply in 2022.
Single source6Nuclear energy supplied 11.7% or 33.7 Mtoe in South Korea's primary energy mix in 2022.
Verified7Hydroelectricity contributed 1.2% to primary energy supply, or 3.5 Mtoe in 2022.
Verified8Solar PV added 0.9% or 2.6 Mtoe to primary energy in 2022.
Verified9Wind energy's share was 0.4% at 1.2 Mtoe in primary energy supply 2022.
Directional10Bioenergy accounted for 1.1% or 3.2 Mtoe in 2022 primary energy supply.
Single source11In 2021, total primary energy supply was 285.2 Mtoe, down 0.5% from 2020.
Verified12Coal imports totaled 124.5 million tons in 2022, valued at $28.6 billion.
Verified13LNG imports reached 48.8 million tons in 2022, a 4.1% increase.
Verified14Crude oil imports were 817.3 million barrels in 2022.
Directional15South Korea's energy self-sufficiency ratio was 9.8% in 2022.
Single source16Total energy production was 28.3 Mtoe in 2022, mostly from nuclear and renewables.
Verified17Final energy consumption grew to 143.7 Mtoe in 2022, up 2.3%.
Verified18Industry sector's primary energy demand was 112.4 Mtoe in 2022.
Verified19Transport sector used 52.1 Mtoe of primary energy in 2022.
Directional20Residential sector primary energy was 32.8 Mtoe in 2022.
Single source21Commercial sector consumed 21.6 Mtoe in primary energy terms 2022.
Verified22Primary energy intensity was 0.25 toe per $1000 GDP in 2022 (2015 prices).
Verified23Coal's share in primary supply dropped from 41.2% in 2020 to 37.8% in 2022.
Verified24Gas share rose from 24.8% in 2020 to 26.4% in 2022.
Directional25Oil share declined to 24.1% in 2022 from 25.3% in 2021.
Single source26Renewables share increased to 5.6% in 2022 from 4.8% in 2021.
Verified27Nuclear share fell to 11.7% in 2022 due to reactor maintenance.
Verified28Total primary supply per capita was 5.58 toe in 2022.
Verified29Energy supply growth averaged 1.1% annually from 2018-2022.
Directional30Non-energy use of oil was 18.4 Mtoe in 2022.
Single sourcePrimary Energy Supply Interpretation
South Korea's energy mix in 2022 shows it's still flirting heavily with fossil fuels at a 90% dependency rate, with its renewable side-hustle growing admirably but still just whispering sweet nothings of a cleaner future.
Renewable Energy Development
1In 2022, South Korea added 20.6 GW of solar PV capacity cumulatively reaching leading position.
Verified2Wind power capacity reached 2.32 GW total by end-2022, with 1.81 GW onshore.
Verified3Offshore wind projects under development total 12 GW as of 2022.
Verified4Bioenergy capacity installed 0.65 GW in 2022, generating 4.8 TWh.
Directional5Hydrogen production capacity planned to reach 1.1 million tons by 2030, pilot in 2022 at 50,000 tons.
Single source6Green hydrogen imports targeted, first 100,000 tons deal in 2022.
Verified7Energy storage systems (ESS) for renewables hit 4.8 GW/28 GWh by end-2022.
Verified8Floating solar PV capacity added 0.2 GW in 2022.
Verified9Geothermal heat pump installations covered 15 million m² in 2022.
Directional10Waste-to-energy plants processed 22 million tons waste, generating 6 TWh in 2022.
Single source11Solar PV module manufacturing capacity 25 GW annually in South Korea 2022.
Verified12Renewable portfolio standard (RPS) met 10.2% obligation with 68 TWh in 2022.
Verified13Feed-in tariff for solar averaged 85 KRW/kWh in 2022.
Verified14Corporate PPA for renewables signed 5 GW deals in 2022.
Directional15Agrivoltaics projects covered 1,200 ha with 1 GW solar in 2022.
Single source16Offshore wind auction awarded 3.5 GW at average 119 KRW/kWh in 2022.
Verified17EV battery production for V2G integration 50 GWh capacity in 2022.
Verified18Renewable certificates (RECs) traded 45 million units worth 2.5 trillion KRW in 2022.
Verified19Community solar projects numbered 1,500 with 0.8 GW in 2022.
Directional20Wind turbine manufacturing local content 55% for domestic projects 2022.
Single source21Biofuel blending mandate E2 for gasoline, consuming 0.8 million tons ethanol 2022.
Verified22Green bonds for renewables issued 15 trillion KRW in 2022.
Verified23Smart grid projects integrated 2 million smart meters for renewables in 2022.
Verified24Carbon capture on biomass pilot captured 10,000 tons CO2 in 2022.
Directional25South Korea's 10th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand targets 20% renewables by 2030.
Single sourceRenewable Energy Development Interpretation
South Korea's energy transition reads like a relentless to-do list, where solar panels have sprinted ahead to grab the gold medal, offshore wind is waiting backstage for its colossal debut, and hydrogen is still nervously rehearsing its opening lines in the wings.
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