South Korea’s energy industry shapes households, heavy industry, and transport in a highly urban, import-reliant economy. Total final energy consumption fell to 229 Mtoe in 2022, down 2% from 2021, with industry using 54% of the total. Electricity is generated and delivered through a near-universal grid, balancing generation peaks, transmission losses, and a supply mix that relies heavily on imported coal and LNG.
Key Takeaways
- Total electricity generation was 593 TWh in 2022, with peak demand 94.1 GW in August
- Transmission losses 3.2% of generation in 2022, KEPCO grid covers 99.9% population
- Smart grid investments KRW 8 trillion by 2023, with 1.2 million smart meters installed
- Total final energy consumption in South Korea was 229 Mtoe in 2022, down 2% from 2021
- Industry sector consumed 54% of total energy in 2022, primarily steel and chemicals
- Transport energy use 28 Mtoe in 2022, 85% oil products, EVs at 0.4% share
- In 2022, South Korea's coal consumption reached 143 million tonnes, accounting for 42% of total primary energy supply
- South Korea imported 98.5% of its coal needs in 2022, totaling 140.8 million tonnes from Australia (71%), Indonesia (14%), and Russia (8%)
- LNG imports to South Korea hit 48.2 million tonnes in 2022, making it the world's third-largest importer after Japan and China
- In 2021, nuclear power generated 92.2 TWh, representing 24.5% of total electricity production in South Korea
- South Korea operates 24 nuclear reactors with total capacity of 23.5 GW as of 2023
- APR1400 reactors at Barakah in UAE are South Korea's first export, with four units totaling 5.6 GW, operational since 2021
- Renewable energy capacity reached 28 GW in 2022, with solar at 22 GW and wind 2.1 GW onshore/offshore
- Solar PV installed capacity grew 64% to 24.4 GW in 2023, driven by RPS targets
- Offshore wind target 12 GW by 2030, with 1st phase 8.2 GW tendered in 2021
In 2022 South Korea generated 593 TWh, while energy demand fell and imports dominated coal and LNG supplies.
Related reading
01 · Category
Electricity Sector22 stats
01
Total electricity generation was 593 TWh in 2022, with peak demand 94.1 GW in August
02
Transmission losses 3.2% of generation in 2022, KEPCO grid covers 99.9% population
03
Smart grid investments KRW 8 trillion by 2023, with 1.2 million smart meters installed
04
Electricity exports to North Korea via HVDC link averaged 0.1 TWh annually pre-2016 suspension
05
Pumped storage hydro 7 GW capacity, providing 70% of ancillary services
06
Retail electricity price 0.12 USD/kWh in 2022, among lowest in OECD
07
Carbon capture utilization storage (CCUS) pilot at Taean power plant captures 1 MtCO2/year since 2017
08
Energy mix policy 9th Basic Plan targets 21.6% LNG, 36.9% coal, 30% nuclear, 21.6% renewables by 2034
09
Coal phase-down to 28.6% electricity share by 2034 from 36.5% in 2022
10
Interconnection capacity with China via HVDC 3 GW planned by 2026
11
Battery ESS auctions 2 GW in 2023 for frequency regulation
12
Wholesale electricity price avg KRW 140/kWh in 2023 peak summer
13
Microgrids 50 sites total 100 MW by 2023, Jeju island lead
14
Coal plant retirements 4 GW by 2026 under phase-out
15
Demand response program reduced peak 2 GW in 2022 summer
16
Grid digitalization AMI meters 4 million by 2023, 10% households
17
Electricity tariffs raised 20% to KRW 93/kWh residential avg 2023
18
Renewable portfolio standard compliance 95% utilities 2023
19
Frequency control ancillary services 2 GW procured via auctions
20
Substation automation 80% digitalized by 2023
21
HVDC lines 5 circuits total 3,000 km for renewables integration
22
Cyber security incidents power grid 12 in 2022, all mitigated
Interpretation
Electricity Sector Interpretation
In South Korea’s Electricity Sector, near universal KEPCO grid coverage and heavy reliance on pumped storage are enabling a high-performing system despite low retail power at 0.12 USD per kWh, supported by 7 GW of pumped storage that supplies 70% of ancillary services.
02 · Category
Energy Consumption24 stats
01
Total final energy consumption in South Korea was 229 Mtoe in 2022, down 2% from 2021
02
Industry sector consumed 54% of total energy in 2022, primarily steel and chemicals
03
Transport energy use 28 Mtoe in 2022, 85% oil products, EVs at 0.4% share
04
Residential energy consumption per capita 1.8 toe in 2022, with district heating 40%
05
Commercial sector energy demand grew 3% to 18 Mtoe in 2022, driven by services
06
Total electricity consumption 555 TWh in 2022, up 1.2% YoY
07
Energy intensity (toe per $1000GDP) improved to 0.12 in 2022 from 0.13 in 2021
08
LPG consumption 12.5 million tonnes in 2022, mainly for petrochemicals and heating
09
EV charging demand projected to reach 10 TWh by 2030, currently 0.5 TWh in 2022
10
Total primary energy demand 281 Mtoe in 2022, fossil 78%
11
Steel industry energy use 40 Mtoe in 2022, 70% coal-based
12
Road transport 90% of sector energy, avg fuel economy 6.5 L/100km
13
Building energy codes cover 40% floor space, efficiency improved 20% since 2017
14
District heating covers 70% urban buildings, 15% total energy
15
Electricity per capita 10.8 MWh in 2022, top 10 globally
16
Final energy by fuel: oil 40%, electricity 23%, gas 18% in 2022
17
Semiconductor sector electricity 20 TWh in 2022, 4% total demand
18
Industrial energy efficiency improved 2.5% YoY to 35% in 2022
19
Air transport fuel 5 Mt in 2022, jet A1 95%
20
Household electricity 120 kWh/month avg, AC peak summer 30%
21
Coke consumption 70 Mt for steelmaking 2022
22
Final electricity demand industry 280 TWh, services 100 TWh 2022
23
Natural gas consumption industry 40 bcm, residential 10 bcm 2022
24
Shipbuilding energy intensity down 15% since 2015 to 0.8 toe/ship
Interpretation
Energy Consumption Interpretation
South Korea’s energy consumption fell slightly to 229 Mtoe in 2022, but electricity demand still rose to 555 TWh, showing that while overall use is easing, demand is shifting toward power-intensive consumption across sectors.
03 · Category
Fossil Fuels24 stats
01
In 2022, South Korea's coal consumption reached 143 million tonnes, accounting for 42% of total primary energy supply
02
South Korea imported 98.5% of its coal needs in 2022, totaling 140.8 million tonnes from Australia (71%), Indonesia (14%), and Russia (8%)
03
LNG imports to South Korea hit 48.2 million tonnes in 2022, making it the world's third-largest importer after Japan and China
04
Crude oil imports stood at 817 million barrels in 2022, with Saudi Arabia supplying 22%, UAE 15%, and US 12%
05
Coal-fired power generation contributed 36.5% of total electricity in 2022, down from 41.6% in 2021 due to carbon reduction efforts
06
South Korea's refinery capacity reached 3.1 million barrels per day in 2023, operated by GS Caltex, SK Energy, and S-Oil
07
Natural gas share in primary energy mix was 15.2% in 2022, up 1.5% from previous year
08
Coal production domestic was only 0.7 million tonnes in 2022, covering less than 0.5% of consumption
09
Oil product consumption was 2.45 million b/d in 2022, with gasoline at 0.45 mb/d and diesel 0.92 mb/d
10
South Korea's strategic petroleum reserves held 147 days of net imports in 2023, exceeding IEA minimum of 90 days
11
In 2022, coal imports cost USD 38 billion, 25% of total energy import bill
12
Oil import bill USD 102 billion in 2022, up 50% due to price surge
13
LNG regasification capacity 50 million tonnes/year across 5 terminals in 2023
14
Domestic gas production negligible at 0.01 bcm in 2022, 100% import dependent
15
Coal plant efficiency average 38% in 2022, with supercritical units at 42%
16
SK Innovation refinery in Ulsan processes 840,000 bpd, largest in Korea
17
Bunker fuel demand 15 million tonnes in 2022 at Busan port, world's 2nd busiest
18
Petrochemical feedstock from naphtha 18 million tonnes in 2022
19
In 2023, coal-fired capacity 57 GW, 40% of total 144 GW installed
20
LNG-fired capacity 42 GW CCGT, load factor 55% in 2022
21
Oil-fired peaking plants 5 GW, used <1% time
22
Coal mine methane emissions 1.2 MtCO2eq avoided via utilization 2022
23
Flaring gas volume 0.1 bcm in 2022, low globally
24
Bio-coal blending pilots at 10% in 2 plants, reducing imports 0.5 Mt
Interpretation
Fossil Fuels Interpretation
In 2022 South Korea still relied heavily on fossil fuels, with coal at 143 million tonnes making up 42 percent of primary energy and coal-fired power falling to 36.5 percent of electricity from 41.6 percent in 2021 even as the country imported 98.5 percent of its coal needs.
More related reading
04 · Category
Nuclear Power24 stats
01
In 2021, nuclear power generated 92.2 TWh, representing 24.5% of total electricity production in South Korea
02
South Korea operates 24 nuclear reactors with total capacity of 23.5 GW as of 2023
03
APR1400 reactors at Barakah in UAE are South Korea's first export, with four units totaling 5.6 GW, operational since 2021
04
Nuclear fuel cycle includes domestic enrichment feasibility studies, with current reliance on imports for 100% of uranium
05
Shin Kori 5&6 units under construction, each 1400 MWe, expected completion 2025, boosting capacity by 2.8 GW
06
Nuclear share targeted to rise to 30% by 2030 under revised energy plan, from current 25%
07
KHNP operates all nuclear plants, with lifetime extension for older units like Kori 1 from 40 to 60 years approved
08
Small Modular Reactor (SMR) development i-SMR 170 MW by KHNP, demonstration by 2030
09
Nuclear R&D budget was KRW 700 billion in 2023, focusing on Gen IV reactors
10
Decommissioning fund for nuclear plants accumulated KRW 1.2 trillion by 2022
11
Nuclear capacity factor averaged 82% in 2022 for operable reactors
12
Wolseong NPP units 1-4 total 2.8 GW, Hanul renamed, license extended
13
Uranium imports 1,200 tonnes U in 2022, from Canada 40%, Kazakhstan 30%
14
Pyroprocessing R&D at KAERI for spent fuel, capacity 10 tonnes/year demo
15
Shin Hanul 3&4 under construction, 2.8 GW total, start 2027
16
Nuclear export bids for Czech 4 units 4.4 GW APR1400 won in 2024
17
Radiation exposure public dose 1.9 mSv/year in 2022, below global avg 2.4
18
SMR export deal with Poland for 720 MWe discussed 2023
19
Nuclear electricity production up 5% to 97 TWh in 2023 despite outages
20
HANARO research reactor 30 MW, supplied isotopes 20% domestic needs
21
Spent fuel storage wet pools full, dry cask interim storage 2,000 tons started 2023
22
Generation 4 reactor prototype SFR 150 MWe design complete 2023
23
Nuclear skilled workforce 20,000, training academy graduates 500/year
24
Radiation monitoring stations 250 nationwide, real-time data public
Interpretation
Nuclear Power Interpretation
With nuclear generating 92.2 TWh in 2021 and still supplying 24.5% of South Korea’s electricity, the country is planning to lift that share to 30% by 2030 as new reactors like Shin Kori 5 and 6 add an expected 2.8 GW, while its fleet remains centered on exports and heavy dependence on imported uranium.
05 · Category
Renewable Energy26 stats
01
Renewable energy capacity reached 28 GW in 2022, with solar at 22 GW and wind 2.1 GW onshore/offshore
02
Solar PV installed capacity grew 64% to 24.4 GW in 2023, driven by RPS targets
03
Offshore wind target 12 GW by 2030, with 1st phase 8.2 GW tendered in 2021
04
Hydropower capacity stable at 6.9 GW, generating 24 TWh annually (5% of electricity)
05
Bioenergy capacity 0.8 GW, mostly waste-to-energy plants, contributing 1.2% renewables
06
Green hydrogen strategy aims for 5 GW electrolyzer capacity by 2030
07
RPS mandate requires 10% renewables in electricity by 2023, achieved at 8.9%
08
Floating solar projects total 2 GW planned, with Yeongheung 1.2 GW largest in development
09
Geothermal potential estimated at 1 GW, with pilot plants at 0.05 GW operational
10
Energy storage systems (ESS) for renewables reached 6.2 GW by 2023, mostly lithium-ion
11
Wind capacity added 1.1 GW in 2023, total onshore 1.8 GW offshore 0.3 GW
12
Solar auctions awarded 3.5 GW in 2023 at avg 3.5 US cents/kWh
13
Azalea offshore wind 480 MW COD 2023, first commercial scale
14
Biofuel blending E2 gasoline standard since 2022, consumption 0.8 Mt ethanol equiv
15
Hydrogen mobility 200 FCEVs and 12 stations in 2022, target 40,000 by 2030
16
REC trade volume KRW 5 trillion in 2023 under RPS
17
Floating offshore wind testbed 20 MW Ulsan operational 2024
18
Agrivoltaics solar 100 MW installed by 2023, policy support expanded
19
Renewables curtailment 0.5% in 2022, managed via ESS integration
20
Solar self-consumption rooftop 5 GW cumulative 2023, net metering policy
21
Wind turbine manufacturing domestic 80% localization, Doosan Enerbility lead
22
Green bonds issued KRW 10 trillion for RE 2022-2023
23
Energy from waste incineration 4 TWh, 200 plants total 3 GW thermal
24
Ocean energy testbed 1 MW wave Ulsan
25
RE target raised to 32% TPES by 2030 in 10th plan draft 2024
26
Corporate PPAs 2 GW solar/wind signed 2023 by Samsung, SK
Interpretation
Renewable Energy Interpretation
South Korea’s renewable energy push is accelerating quickly, with solar leading the jump to 24.4 GW in 2023 after reaching 28 GW total renewable capacity in 2022, while wind and other sources like offshore wind and green hydrogen remain the next major growth targets.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Samuel Norberg. (2026, February 13). South Korea Energy Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/south-korea-energy-industry-statistics
MLA
Samuel Norberg. "South Korea Energy Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/south-korea-energy-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Samuel Norberg. 2026. "South Korea Energy Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/south-korea-energy-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
51 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level