3.4 Trillion Won to Be Invested in Climate Technology: Full-Scale Investment in Solar Cells, SMRs, and AI Prediction

Race to Achieve the 2035 NDC
Ultra-Gap in Renewable Energy, Urban Digital Twins,
and Expansion of Regional Demonstration Infrastructure

The government will expand its investment in climate change response technology development to 3.4 trillion won next year to achieve the national greenhouse gas reduction target (NDC) for 2035. The government plans to initiate all-out investments in a wide range of technologies, including ultra-gap technologies such as next-generation solar cells, small modular reactors (SMR), clean hydrogen, and carbon capture and utilization (CCU), as well as AI-based climate prediction and disaster response using digital twin technology.

On April 16, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced the establishment of the "2026 Implementation Plan for Climate Change Response Technology Development," which outlines these measures. The total investment amounts to 3.4217 trillion won, representing a 14.1% increase from the previous year. The core focus is to support the full cycle of technology development—from basic research to demonstration and commercialization—centered around three major strategies: greenhouse gas reduction, climate change adaptation, and fostering an innovation ecosystem.

Reference photo to aid understanding of the article. View of the chimney at the Shin Incheon Combined Cycle Power Plant in Seo-gu, Incheon. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

This year, the government achieved a world-leading efficiency of 24.84% for all-perovskite triple-junction solar cells and established a demonstration plant for carbon dioxide through private sector collaboration. Building on these achievements, the government will significantly expand investment next year.

Solar Cells, SMRs, and CCU Mega Projects: Competing for Energy Superiority

In the area of greenhouse gas reduction, the emphasis will be on securing core technologies to replace existing energy sources, such as next-generation solar cells, the localization of SMRs through public-private cooperation, and the initiation of the design of a Korean-style innovative fusion reactor.

Notable new projects include the ultra-gap solar cell development program (5 billion won), the SMR innovative manufacturing localization project (15.67 billion won), and the fusion plug-in program (2.1 billion won). In addition, the plan incorporates value-up programs for clean hydrogen source technologies and a 20 billion won industrial-site CCU mega project.

Vision and Strategy for Technology Development in Response to Climate Change. Provided by the Ministry of Science and ICT

Through these initiatives, the government aims not only to secure technologies but also to build a carbon-neutral industrial supply chain that extends from field demonstration and localization to commercialization.

AI Climate Prediction and Urban Digital Twins: Advancing Disaster Response

For climate change adaptation, the focus is on advancing monitoring, prediction, and evaluation systems using AI and digital technologies. The plan is to develop customized disaster response technologies for ecosystems, forests, urban areas, and marine environments, and to expand digital twin-based damage minimization technologies tailored for densely populated areas.

In particular, the government will concentrate on improving the accuracy of both short-term forecasts and medium- to long-term climate outlooks through AI-based fundamental research on future climates, the advancement of the national climate prediction system, and digital-based damage minimization technologies.

In terms of fostering the innovation ecosystem, the government will expand demonstration infrastructure led by companies and local governments, such as the Hydrogen Turbine Test Research Center in Chungnam and the Advanced Electronics Resource Circulation Cluster in Gyeongbuk. It will also newly promote climate technology demonstration projects targeting developing countries.

The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to accelerate the realization of a carbon-neutral society based on science and technology by monitoring policies and project outcomes through an inter-agency consultative body involving the central government, local governments, and industry.

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