Energy Import Dependence

And Renewable Energy

Cub-reporter Park Won-wook

wookbufs@gmail.com

According to KEPCO statistics, Korea's energy generation standards are 35% for coal, 29% for nuclear power and 26% for natural gas, with only approximately 6.6% for renewable energy. Most of the coal and natural gas come from imports. Still, Korea's energy dependence is becoming more prominent as the natural gas supply becomes difficult due to the Russia-Ukraine War.

Grid parity refers to when the cost of power generation using renewable energy, such as solar power and wind power generation, becomes the same as that of using fossil fuels. Only eight countries have achieved grid parity. Compared to countries with grid parity, Korea's electricity rates were meagre, while renewable energy costs were high. Solar power generation's biggest problems are the high initial cost and maintenance costs. However, prices are falling rapidly in the case of solar power generation.

Nevertheless, despite a sharp drop in solar module prices, significant shifts towards solar power have not been seen. In addition to the cost problem, land and natural environment damage issues have also restricted the expanded use of solar power. Instead of solar power generation, increasing the proportion of nuclear power is also suggested as a solution, but nuclear power plants face many problems. So then, when can we achieve energy independence?