Climate minister pledges early 100GW renewables at Assembly audit
Version 2: A third outlet, Asia Economy, adds detail that the minister also promised an electricity tariff overhaul, a just-transition coal phase-out and consolidation of power generation companies, plus the ministry's first-year achievements including passing one million electric vehicles.
In short
Climate, Energy and Environment Minister Kim Seong-hwan told a National Assembly audit on October 6 that the 2030 target of more than 100GW of renewable capacity will be reached early, alongside a “harmonious energy mix” to back megaprojects. He also promised a roadmap for the 2035 emissions target, a stronger emissions trading scheme, faster power grid construction and a power tariff overhaul. Yonhap and Asia Economy reported the remarks in detail; Newsis led on the 100GW target.
Read the full story 2 min read
Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment Kim Seong-hwan told the National Assembly's climate, energy, environment and labour committee audit on October 6 that South Korea would be made an “overwhelming decarbonization leader”, Yonhap reported. He said the goal of expanding renewable energy capacity to more than 100GW by 2030 would be achieved early, with a “harmonious energy mix” intended to support megaprojects and what he called a great leap to the future. [ 2 , 3 ]
To make room for that expansion, Kim said grid systems and operations would be reformed to remove bottlenecks, and that resident acceptance would be secured so transmission networks can be built quickly, Asia Economy reported. He also said the electricity tariff system would be overhauled, that coal power would be phased out on a “just transition” basis and that power generation companies would be consolidated to modernize the power market. [ 3 ]
On emissions, the minister said a roadmap reflecting the 2035 nationally determined contribution would be established and that incentives for reduction through the emissions trading scheme would be strengthened. Asia Economy reported that decarbonization would be pushed in industry, transport and heating and cooling, and both outlets said Kim promised to turn decarbonized energy industries into export mainstay industries. [ 2 , 3 ]
Kim also said water sources would be linked more closely, operated flexibly and diversified to secure as much water as possible, and that flood response capacity would be strengthened for extreme climate conditions. He cited circular use of critical minerals to secure resource security and a move toward a plastic-free society; Asia Economy added plans to raise response capacity for fine dust, high ozone levels and chemical accidents, and to create environments where wildlife and people coexist. [ 2 , 3 ]
Presenting the ministry's first-year results, Kim listed the establishment of the 2035 NDC, passing one million electric vehicles, the spread of renewable energy and innovation in locally generated, locally consumed power grids. He said climate action should become an everyday practice, that energy-vulnerable households would be supported without blind spots and that climate adaptation capacity would be raised. [ 3 ]
Yonhap published its report at 10:45 local time, Newsis at 10:39 and Asia Economy at 10:52. Newsis' readable article text under its headline concerned a separate story about the Supreme Court chief justice and did not cover the climate minister's remarks. The documents do not state South Korea's current renewable capacity, the funding for the plans, or how far ahead of 2030 the target is to be met. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The remarks set out the direction of South Korea's energy and emissions policy as stated by the responsible minister at a parliamentary audit, covering renewable capacity, grid build-out, coal phase-out and the 2035 emissions target. The documents give no current capacity figure, budget or implementation timetable, so the practical effect cannot be assessed from them alone. Export ambitions for decarbonized energy industries suggest the plans are also framed as industrial policy.
Key facts
- Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment Kim Seong-hwan spoke at the National Assembly's climate, energy, environment and labour committee audit on October 6. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He said the target of expanding renewable energy capacity to more than 100GW by 2030 would be achieved early. [ 2 , 3 ]
- He said a “harmonious energy mix” would be implemented to support megaprojects and future growth. [ 2 , 3 ]
- He said grid systems and operations would be reformed to remove bottlenecks in renewable expansion, with resident acceptance secured so that power grids can be built quickly, and that the electricity tariff system would be overhauled. [ 3 ]
- He said a roadmap reflecting the 2035 nationally determined contribution would be drawn up and incentives under the emissions trading scheme strengthened. [ 2 , 3 ]
- He said decarbonized energy industries would be turned into export mainstay industries. [ 2 , 3 ]
- He cited a just-transition-based coal power phase-out and consolidation of power generation companies to modernize the power market. [ 3 ]
- He listed the ministry's first-year achievements as establishing the 2035 NDC, passing one million electric vehicles, expanding renewables and innovating localized power grids. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Minister Kim Seong-hwan said the 2030 renewable capacity target of more than 100GW would be reached early. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The remarks were made at a National Assembly committee audit on October 6. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The minister described the aim of making South Korea a leading decarbonization country and supporting megaprojects. [ 2 , 3 ]
- He said a roadmap reflecting the 2035 nationally determined contribution would be drawn up and emissions trading scheme incentives strengthened. [ 2 , 3 ]
- He said decarbonized energy industries would be made into export mainstay industries. [ 2 , 3 ]
- He cited stronger links between water sources, diversified supply and stronger flood response capacity. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- What the current renewable capacity is, and how far ahead of 2030 the 100GW target is meant to be met. The documents mention an early achievement but give no baseline figure or revised date.
- How the grid expansion, tariff reform, emissions roadmap and water measures will be financed or implemented. No budget, legislation or timetable is given in the documents.
- What period the “one million electric vehicles” figure refers to. Asia Economy is the only document mentioning the figure, without stating a comparison basis.
- What the coal power phase-out timetable and the consolidation of power generation companies would involve. Asia Economy names the measures without describing their scope or schedule.
- Whether the full text of the minister's remarks was reported by Newsis. Newsis carried a headline on the 100GW target, but the readable article text under it deals with a separate Supreme Court story and does not cover the climate minister's remarks.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Newsis publishes its report on the minister's 100GW early achievement pledge and megaproject support. [ 1 ]
- Yonhap publishes its account of the minister's remarks at the National Assembly audit. [ 2 ]
- Asia Economy publishes its report adding the tariff overhaul, coal phase-out and first-year achievements. [ 3 ]