Seoul moves toward renewable energy

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

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Sat, September 23, 2023 | 07:21

Politics

Seoul moves toward renewable energy

Posted : 2018-10-30 16:52

Updated : 2018-10-30 20:09

President Moon Jae-in speaks at a ceremony Tuesday in the southwestern coastal city of Gunsan, where he unveiled plans to establish one of the world's largest renewable energy production complexes on the Saemangeum reclaimed land in the region. / Yonhap

By Kim Yoo-chul

The Moon Jae-in administration's nuclear phase-out policy has begun to take shape as the President announced plans to create what he says is "the world's largest" renewable energy cluster in the southwestern city of Gunsan.

"South Korea is far behind other nations in renewable energy," Moon said during a ceremony held in the southwestern coastal city of Gunsan to announce the plan. "Renewable energy is healthy energy that can protect the safety of the people. More than anything else, if South Korea expands the production of renewable energy, then that will clearly help us lift the country's competitiveness in the race for renewable power."

By last year, renewable energy use in South Korea was 8 percent compared with an average rate of 25 percent among OECD nations, according to Moon.

"For example, the portion of renewable energy out of the total production in China by last year was 25 percent," he said. "Plus, renewable energy accounted for 73 percent of newly launched energy production facilities by OECD member countries last year."

The government said earlier it will support renewable energy-centric projects and liquefied natural gas (LNG)-initiated business plans to boost safe and clean energy. The nuclear phase-out policy is due partly to public safety concerns. Soon after the launch of the Moon administration, cancellation of the new nuclear reactors Shin Kori 5 and 6 was discussed.

Following heavy opposition from builders and residents, the government organized a civilian-led committee to study the feasibility of the decision to cancel construction.

Moon said the government plans to provide incentives and support for companies to explore business opportunities that are environment friendly as Seoul hopes to boost renewable energy to 20 percent of total power production by the end of 2030.

President Moon also stressed that renewable energy industries are lucrative and promising, helping the local market provide new impetus to add more jobs.

yckim@koreatimes.co.kr