South Korea reduces its dependence on fossil fuels below 50%

In April 2025, fossil fuels represented 49.5% of South Korea's electricity mix, dropping below the symbolic threshold of 50% for the first time, primarily due to a historic decline in coal-generated electricity production.

Share:

For the first time since records began, the share of fossil fuels in South Korea’s electricity generation has fallen below the 50% mark, according to the latest data from the specialised think tank Ember. In April 2025, fossil fuels provided 49.5% of the national electricity supply, equivalent to 21.8 terawatt hours (TWh), marking a decrease compared to the previous record set in May 2024, at 50.4% (22.6 TWh). This notable decline is primarily explained by a decrease in coal-fired electricity generation, which fell to a historically low level of 18.5% of total electricity output (8.2 TWh). Previously, coal accounted for a significantly higher share of South Korea’s electricity mix, peaking at 30% for the full year of 2024.

Significant decrease in coal-generated electricity production

The decline in coal-generated electricity production is particularly marked in annual comparison: coal production in April 2025 was 36% lower than in April 2021. This decrease directly impacted emissions from the electricity sector, estimated at 6.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in April 2025, a reduction of 37% compared to levels recorded four years earlier. However, South Korea remains above the global average, with five tonnes of CO₂ per capita generated by the electricity sector in 2024—nearly three times the global average, according to Ember. National electricity demand, meanwhile, remained relatively stable at 44 TWh in April 2025, a slight increase of 1.4% compared to 43.4 TWh in April 2024.

Accelerated solar development and resurgence in nuclear power

The decline in fossil fuels in South Korea’s electricity mix coincides with a significant rise in photovoltaic solar generation. In April 2025, solar electricity production reached a record high of 9.2% (4 TWh) of the national electricity mix, an increase compared to the previous record of 8.7% set in May 2024. This growth is driven by a recent acceleration in new photovoltaic installations: between January and May 2025, 1.56 gigawatts (GW) were installed, 61% more than in the same period in 2024 (0.97 GW). This momentum breaks with two previous years of slowing photovoltaic capacity additions.

At the same time, nuclear electricity generation showed a substantial increase, representing 36.2% (15.9 TWh) of the electricity mix in April 2025, compared to 33.6% (14.6 TWh) in April 2024 and 31.1% (13.6 TWh) in April 2023. This progression mechanically increased downward pressure on fossil fuel sources in the electricity sector.

International positioning and future energy challenges

While the decline in fossil fuels in South Korea’s electricity mix aligns with an international trend, the country still lags behind in the large-scale deployment of certain renewable technologies, particularly wind power and battery storage. Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC), a South Korean organisation specialising in energy policy analysis, particularly highlights the need for Seoul to strengthen its renewable energy capacities to further reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels. The central issue remains the pace of integration of these renewable technologies into an electricity system historically dominated by fossil fuels.

The U.S. government has supported Argentina’s request for a temporary suspension of an order to hand over its stake in YPF, a 16.1 billion USD judgment aimed at satisfying creditors.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency extends compliance deadlines for coal-fired power plant operators regarding groundwater monitoring and the closure of waste ponds.
Eskom aims to accelerate its energy transition through a new dedicated unit, despite a USD22.03bn debt and tariff uncertainties slowing investment.
Several major U.S. corporations announce investments totaling nearly USD 90 billion to strengthen energy infrastructure in Pennsylvania, aimed at powering data centers vital to the rapid growth of the artificial intelligence sector.
Nearly USD92bn will be invested by major American and international groups in new data centres and energy infrastructure, responding to the surge in electricity demand linked to the rise of artificial intelligence.
Nouakchott has endured lengthy power interruptions for several weeks, highlighting the financial and technical limits of the Mauritanian Electricity Company as Mauritania aims to widen access and green its mix by 2030.
Between 2015 and 2024, four multilateral climate funds committed nearly eight bn USD to clean energy, attracting private capital through concessional terms while Africa and Asia absorbed more than half of the volume.
The Global Energy Policies Hub shows that strategic reserves, gas obligations, cybersecurity and critical-mineral policies are expanding rapidly, lifting oil coverage to 98 % of world imports.
According to a report by Ember, the Chinese government’s appliance trade-in campaign could double residential air-conditioner efficiency gains in 2025 and trim up to USD943mn from household electricity spending this year.
Washington is examining sectoral taxes on polysilicon and drones, two supply chains dominated by China, after triggering Section 232 to measure industrial dependency risks.
The 2025-2034 development plan presented by Terna includes strengthening Sicily’s grid, new interconnections, and major projects to support the region’s growing renewable energy capacity.
Terna and NPC Ukrenergo have concluded a three-year partnership in Rome aimed at strengthening the integration of the Ukrainian grid into the pan-European system, with an in-depth exchange of technological and regulatory expertise.
GE Vernova has secured a major contract to modernise the Kühmoos substation in Germany, enhancing grid reliability and integration capacity for power flows between Germany, France and Switzerland.
The National Energy System Operator forecasts electricity demand to rise to 785 TWh by 2050, underlining the need to modernise grids and integrate more clean energy to support the UK’s energy transition.
Terna has signed a guarantee agreement with SACE and the European Investment Bank to finance the Adriatic Link project, totalling approximately €1bn ($1.08bn) and validated as a major transaction under Italian regulations.
India unveils a series of reforms on oil and gas contracts, introducing a fiscal stability clause to enhance the sector’s attractiveness for foreign companies and boost its growth ambitions in upstream energy.
The European Commission is launching a special fund of EUR2.3bn ($2.5bn) to boost Ukraine’s reconstruction and attract private capital to the energy and infrastructure sectors.
Asia dominated global new renewable energy capacity in 2024 with 71% of installations, while Africa recorded limited growth of only 7.2%, according to the latest annual report from IRENA.
US President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act dramatically changes energy investment rules, imposing restrictions on renewables while favouring hydrocarbons, according to a recent report by consultancy firm Wood Mackenzie.
On July 8, 2025, the Senate validated the Gremillet bill, aimed at structuring France's energy transition with clear objectives for nuclear power, renewable energies, and energy renovation.