South Korea to rev up renewables' share to 35% of energy mix

The country aims to slash reliance on coal and cut the lifespans of nuclear plants.

South Korea aims to raise the share of renewables in its energy mix to 35% by 2040, which is over four times the current amount, Reuters reports. Renewable power currently makes up around 8% of South Korea’s energy production.

“We have decided to increase the share of renewable power to between 30% and 35% by 2040 to move toward cleaner and safer energy based on an advisory group’s recommendation,” Park Jae-young, director of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, told a public hearing in Seoul.

A South Korean advisory group said in November that the government should plan to expand the share of renewable power generation in the country’s generating mix between 25% and 40% by 2040 to keep up with global trends.

The role of coal power is expected to be cut further, while gas power generation will be expanded, Park added. The ministry will also keep its plan to stop extending the lifespans of aged nuclear power plants.

Read the full report here.