GRA, UK Climate Group Urge Korean Government: "Raise Renewable Energy Targets in 12th Basic Electricity Plan"

(Photo from left) Bruce Douglas, CEO of Global Renewable Energy Alliance, HoHyun Lee, 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Industry (center), and Sam Kimmins, Energy Director of The Climate Group, are taking a commemorative photo at 'Energy Superweek' held in Busan. Global Renewable Energy Alliance

On August 28, the UK-based nonprofit Climate Group and the Global Renewable Energy Alliance (GRA) urged senior officials of the South Korean government to accelerate the expansion of renewable energy in a letter. The Climate Group leads the RE100 campaign, which encourages companies to use 100% renewable energy by 2050, while the GRA is an advocacy organization representing global companies in the renewable energy sector.

In a joint letter sent that day to Lee Jungkwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy; Cho Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Kim Sunghwan, Minister of Environment, the organizations stated, "We welcome the government's announcement to establish RE100 industrial complexes and prioritize power grid expansion," but also urged, "South Korea should establish itself as a regional leader in renewable energy to strengthen industrial competitiveness and energy security."

In the letter, they emphasized, "For the Republic of Korea, which imports fossil fuels, the expansion of renewable energy is a key task to ensure energy security. It offers various solutions, including cost reduction, protecting companies from price volatility, and building a competitive and resilient economy."

They suggested that the government should: ▲ incorporate a modern and inclusive energy security system into national policy to ensure long-term competitiveness, resilience, and prosperity; ▲ raise renewable energy targets in the 12th Basic Plan for Long-term Electricity Supply and Demand; ▲ promote offshore wind development; ▲ simplify permitting procedures; ▲ expand storage facilities; and ▲ modernize the power grid.

Additionally, they called for: ▲ setting an ambitious and actionable Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) with clear sectoral renewable energy targets, including coal reduction; ▲ improving renewable energy procurement through price system reform, expanding access to power purchase agreements (PPAs), and introducing internationally recognized certification systems; and ▲ strengthening public-private cooperation and regional leadership through platforms such as the Clean Energy Ministerial.

They stressed that these measures are essential not only for climate action but also for energy security, quality job creation, economic growth, domestic industry development, and expanding business opportunities for companies.

Sam Kimmins, Energy Director of the Climate Group, stated, "The recently announced renewable energy policies are encouraging news for the more than 180 RE100 member companies operating in South Korea, but continued efforts are required." He added, "For South Korea to emerge as an energy leader in the Asia-Pacific region, it is essential to set ambitious targets, increase investment in the power grid, and improve access to renewable energy procurement options such as PPAs."

Bruce Douglas, CEO of the Global Renewable Energy Alliance, said, "What global investors and industrialists urgently need are ambitious targets, a modernized power grid, and clear signals through streamlined procurement procedures." He continued, "Achieving these will not only deliver cost savings but also firmly establish South Korea as a leading renewable energy nation in the Asia-Pacific region."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.