SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

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:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

SUBSCRIBE - 99€/year

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

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.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Thailand delays regional power project due to lack of tariff approval
Cypress Creek secures $190mn financing for hybrid solar project in Colorado
EDF appoints Intesa and Lazard to review future of Italian subsidiary Edison
Kazakhstan begins negotiations to export uranium to Finland
A hybrid approach could reduce ammonia production emissions by 63%
Norway prevails at ECHR over offshore oil licensing dispute
The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Norway’s deferral of a climate impact assessment did not breach procedural safeguards under the Convention, upholding the country’s 2016 oil licensing decisions.
Singapore invests heavily in civil nuclear power and regional energy networks
Singapore strengthens its energy strategy through public investments in nuclear, regional electricity interconnections and gas infrastructure to secure its long-term supply.
Gabon invests FCFA560bn to regulate its gradual exit from oil
As oil production declines, Gabon is relying on regulatory reforms and large-scale investments to build a new growth framework focused on local transformation and industrialisation.
Cameroon to exempt biofuel equipment from customs duties starting 2026 to boost the sector
Cameroon will adopt a customs exemption on industrial equipment related to biofuels starting in 2026, as part of its new energy strategy aimed at regulating a still underdeveloped sector.
Bolivia allows private fuel imports to address supply crisis
Facing a persistent fuel shortage and depleted foreign reserves, the Bolivian parliament has passed an exceptional law allowing private actors to import gasoline, diesel and LPG tax-free for three months.
Ghana targets $16 billion in oil revenues despite declining production
Ghana aims to secure $16 billion in oil revenues over ten years, but the continued drop in production raises doubts about the sector’s long-term stability.
Kinshasa and Vingroup sign agreement for major urban and energy project
The government of Kinshasa has signed a memorandum of understanding with Vietnam's Vingroup to develop a 6,300-hectare urban project and modernise mobility through an electric transport network.
Rising electricity demand in Texas reshapes ERCOT’s energy mix
ERCOT’s grid adapts to record electricity consumption by relying on the growth of solar, wind and battery storage to maintain system stability.
France increases CEE funding to over €8bn for 2026
The French government will raise the energy savings certificate budget by 27% in 2026, leveraging more private funds to support thermal renovation and electric mobility.
France: Minister Barbut defends an energy mix combining nuclear and renewables
Facing opposition criticism, Monique Barbut asserts that France’s energy sovereignty relies on a strategy combining civil nuclear power and renewable energy.
Brussels renews push to end daylight saving time over energy inefficiency
The European Commission is reviving efforts to abolish daylight saving time, supported by several member states, as the energy savings from the practice are now considered negligible.
UNEP, EU and Japan frame methane: 12% responses, LNG under pressure
Rising responses to UNEP’s satellite alerts trigger measurement, reporting and verification clauses; the European Union sets import milestones, Japan strengthens liquefied natural gas traceability; operators and steelmakers adjust budgets and contracts.
France: MPs approve stricter electricity price controls in budget committee
The Finance Committee has adopted an amendment to overhaul electricity pricing by removing the planned redistribution mechanism and capping producers' profit margins.
Brussels launches seven measures to reduce energy prices in Europe
The European Commission unveils a seven-point action plan aimed at lowering energy costs, targeting energy-intensive industries and households facing persistently high utility bills.
Energy remains a political priority for the European Union in 2026
The European Commission plans to keep energy at the heart of its 2026 agenda, with several structural reforms targeting market security, governance and simplification.
Takaichi secures the LDP–Ishin axis, pro-nuclear, and eases fuel taxation
The new Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)–Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin no Kai) axis combines a nuclear restart, targeted fuel tax cuts and energy subsidies, with immediate effects on prices and risk reallocations for operators. —
No evidence of manipulation found in Germany’s late 2024 electricity price surge
German authorities have ruled out market abuse by major power producers during sharp price increases caused by low renewable output in late 2024.
Mozambique bets on its energy resources to support industrialisation by 2030
A new International Energy Agency report urges Maputo to accelerate energy investment to ensure universal electricity access and support its emerging industry.
Spain burns more gas after its blackout
Increased reliance on combined-cycle plants after the April 28 blackout pushed gas use for electricity up by about 37%, bringing total demand to 267.6 TWh and strengthening flows to France.
The United States Raises Tariffs Against Colombia on Energy and Metals
The United States announces a tariff increase beyond the 10% base rate targeting several Colombian products. Bogotá has recalled its ambassador. The detailed list of tariff lines has not yet been published, while Colombia’s ban on coal exports to Israel remains in effect.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

START - 99€/year

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.