Total domestic energy production distribution South Korea 2022, by source

Nuclear power made up over 68 percent of total domestic energy production in South Korea in 2022. While domestic energy production is dependent chiefly on nuclear power, much of the power produced domestically is lost to transformation processes. The country has an export-oriented economy and lacks natural resources such as petroleum or metals and minerals. As such, Korea imports large quantities of fossil fuels for power generation.  However, the energy generated from new and renewable energy sources increased by over tenfold in the past twelve years.

Nuclear Energy in South Korea

There were more than two dozen operational nuclear reactors in Korea as of 2024. After the Japanese Fukushima nuclear disaster, the previous Moon Jae-in government announced plans to phase out nuclear energy entirely. However, the current Yoon Suk Yeol administration has reversed these policies since then. Nuclear power capacity stood at around 25 gigawatts in 2022, against a national electric power capacity of around 138 gigawatts. 

Renewable Energy in South Korea

The Korean government’s stated goal is to have new and renewable energy sources account for over 40 percent of installed rated capacity by 2036. Over half of that capacity is planned to be from fuel cells and biofuels. According to this plan, this would require increasing the power generation capacity of new and renewable energy sources to reach over 108 gigawatts by 2036.