Uniting for Korea's Renewable Energy Future: Insights from the Asia Renewables Growth Forum
During the recent Asia Renewables Growth Forum hosted by the Climate Group, the Program Director of the Asia Clean Energy Coalition participated in a compelling panel discussion titled "Governments, NGOs, and Businesses in Korea’s Renewable Roadmap." This session highlighted the collaborative efforts necessary to drive forward Korea's renewable energy initiatives.
The forum kicked off with key insights from His Excellency Governor Tae-heum Kim, followed by enlightening presentations from industry leaders that set the stage for the panel discussion. Seungwan Kim, CEO of NEXT Group, pinpointed challenges such as the complex around the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) system and grid connection issues. He emphasized that these challenges require robust government intervention and legislative support to unleash the full potential of renewables in Korea.
Janice Cheong, Policy Manager of the Global Wind Energy Council, then provided a detailed overview of the offshore wind market in South Korea. She shared findings from reports on the economic benefits that offshore wind can bring, including job creation. Her presentation underscored the necessity of local consensus to advance the development of this sector.
During the panel, experts agreed that for Korea to support corporate achievements in RE100—a global campaign led by the Climate Group to commit to 100% renewable energy—policy improvements are imperative. The panelists collectively recognized the urgent need to enhance grid infrastructure and regulatory frameworks to support the growing demand for renewable energy procurement by global supply chains. This includes easing regulations like solar power setback distances and speeding up grid enhancement processes to accommodate new renewable projects without conditional permits.
As Korea strives to expand its renewable energy footprint, the discussions at the forum highlighted that a combined effort from all sectors is required to address the intermittency of renewable sources and grid management challenges. The government has signaled its commitment to this expansion, aiming to continually increase renewable capacity year on year.
This forum not only provided a platform or discussing the current state and future of renewable energy in Korea but also reinforced the need for a unified approach to navigate the complexities of energy transition. The ACEC remains committed to facilitating these crucial dialogues and supporting Korea’s journey toward a sustainable energy future.
