South Korea is once again experiencing extreme weather this summer, yet its climate response remains inadequate. As of 2024, fossil fuels still account for 56% of electricity generation, while carbon-free renewables represent only 8.9% — placing Korea last among the 38 OECD countries for renewable electricity share. Meanwhile, the global energy transition is accelerating. In 2024, 92.5% of new electricity capacity worldwide came from renewables, mainly solar and wind. Korea’s solar growth, though modest in relative terms, was significant in absolute numbers: from 2015 to 2024, solar power generation increased by 674%, ranking Korea 10th globally. In contrast, wind power — especially offshore wind — remains Korea’s weak spot. The country has just 2 GW of installed wind capacity, with only 321 MW from offshore wind farms, despite having favorable geography and world-class industries in shipbuilding, steel, and heavy machinery. Korea has a surprisingly long history with wind power, dating back to a pilot turbine on Jeju Island in 1975. Ambitious plans have been made since then — such as the 2010 roadmap to install 2.5 GW by 2019 — but delays and cancellations caused the withdrawal of major players like Doosan, Hyundai, and Samsung. A 2020 plan under the Moon administration targeted 12 GW of offshore wind by 2030, but only 0.3 GW has been installed to date. Key barriers include lack of infrastructure, weak supply chains, limited local support, and insufficient state-led planning. Recent years saw some progress: between 2023 and 2025, ten offshore wind projects totaling 3.3 GW were awarded through fixed-price auctions. However, only one — Yeonggwang Nakwol — is currently under construction. With the Lee Jae-myung administration now in office, Korea has a critical opportunity to change course. To succeed, the government must: Establish a dedicated offshore wind task force within the presidential office. Create a strong public-private governance model, similar to the UK’s Offshore Wind Industry Council. Improve project bankability to attract public and private capital. If implemented effectively, Korea can still become one of the world’s top seven offshore wind nations by 2030, with 3–5 GW installed, and lay the groundwork for 20–30 GW by 2035. It is time to act — not to look back and ask “what if,” but to move forward with strategy, urgency, and resolve.   (ICE SEOUL)

Fonte notizia: The Korea Times