3rd
biggest LNG importer in the world
South Korea energy report
This analysis includes a comprehensive South Korea energy market report and updated datasets. It is derived from the most recent key economic indicators, supply and demand factors, oil and gas pricing trends and major energy issues and developments surrounding the energy industry. The report provides a complete picture of the country situation, dynamics, current issues and future prospects. With 2021 market data and continuous follow-up of markets news, this report brings clear and concise insights with which to tackle national energy challenges and opportunities. Browse the tabs below for a detailed table of contents, the list of graphs and tables, and details on the data files.
Update:
May 2022
Format:
4 files (PDF report, 3 Excel files)
Pages:
40 (Report only)
Delivery:
Immediate by e-mail
Price:
990 €
Price without VAT. Depending on your statute and location, VAT might be applicable. Get in touch with us for more information.
After validation, you will immediately receive 4 files by email (one pdf report and 3 excel files containing the datasets).
Highlights
- The country targets a decrease in its GHG emissions of around 40% in 2030 and to reach a share of 40% of renewables in the power mix in 2034. It aims to reach carbon neutrality and 100% clean hydrogen by 2050.
- KEPCO supplies around two thirds of electricity, while Kogas is the main gas supplier. Oil refining and distribution is controlled by private players.
- In 2021, LNG imports surged by 15%, while crude oil and coal imports were well below their 2019 level. Gas overtook nuclear in the power mix for the first time.
- Tax cuts on motor fuels that were introduced in November 2012 have been extended until at least July 2022.
- Total energy consumption exceeded its 2019 level.
- Several strategic partnerships were concluded in 2021 to further develop the hydrogen industry.
-8%
CO2 emissions from fuel combustion since 2018
+4.5%
energy consumption in 2021
Abstract
Institutions & Energy Policy
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) oversees energy policy planning and supervises the energy firms and energy administrations.
The Ministry of Environment (ME) is in charge of the climate policy.
Energy Supply
Gas:
The offshore gas field of Dong-Hae 1 entered into service in 2004. It produces around 0.15 bcm/year, i.e. less than 1% of total gas consumption.
Energy Prices
Gas:
The average gas price was US$4.1c/kWh (+1.8%) for industry and US$5.6c/kWh (+0.9%) for households in 2021. The household price had decreased over 2017-2020 by an average of 1.8%.
The tax cut on LNG import tariffs from 2% to 0% that was introduced from January to April 2022 was extended until July 2022.
Graph: GAS PRICES FOR INDUSTRY AND HOUSEHOLDS (US$c/kWh GCV)
Energy Consumption
Total energy consumption exceeded its 2019 level in 2021 to 298 Mtoe (+4.5%) after a 3.1% fall in 2020.
Oil covered 35% of the energy needs, coal 24%, gas 18%, primary electricity 15% (of which nuclear 14%, hydro, wind, and solar 1%), and biomass 8%. Since 2017, the share of coal has decreased by 4 points, while that of gas has increased by 3 points.
Issues & Prospects
KEEI's Korea Mid-Term Energy Demand Outlook (2021) foresees growth in the total energy consumption of 2.3%/year over 2020-2025.
According to forecasts from Enerdata's POLES model for Global Energy Markets, the country's consumption should decrease slightly by around 1%/year between 2025 and 2050 if its ongoing NDC commitments are met.
- GENERAL OVERVIEW
- INSTITUTIONS AND ENERGY POLICY
- ENERGY SUPPLY
- ENERGY PRICES
- ENERGY CONSUMPTION
- ISSUES AND PROSPECTS
- DATA TABLES
- ABBREVIATIONS
- GLOSSARY
Below is a list of the South Korea energy market report graphs:
- GRAPH 1: CO2-energy emissions (MtCO2)
- GRAPH 2: Installed electric capacity by source (2021, %)
- GRAPH 3: Gross power production by source (TWh)
- GRAPH 4: Power generation by source (2021, %)
- GRAPH 5: Gasoline & diesel prices (US$/l)
- GRAPH 6: Electricity prices for industry and households (US$c/kWh)
- GRAPH 7: Gas prices for industry and households (US$c/kWh GCV)
- GRAPH 8: Consumption trends by energy source (Mtoe)
- GRAPH 9: Total consumption market share by energy (2021, %)
- GRAPH 10: Final consumption Market share by sector (2021, %)
- GRAPH 11: Oil consumption (Mt)
- GRAPH 12: Oil consumption breakdown by sector (2021, %)
- GRAPH 13: Electricity consumption (TWh)
- GRAPH 14: Electricity consumption breakdown by sector (2021, %)
- GRAPH 15: Natural gas consumption (bcm)
- GRAPH 16: Gas consumption breakdown by sector (2021, %)
- GRAPH 17: Coal consumption (Mt)
- GRAPH 18: Coal consumption breakdown by sector (2021, %)
In the South Korea energy market report you will find the following tables:
- Economic Indicators: Annual historical data including population, GDP growth, imports and exports, inflation rate, energy security and efficiency indicators, CO2 emissions.
- Supply Indicators: Historical data including oil and gas reserves, electric and refining capacity, energy production, power production and external trade. All are detailed by energy source.
- Demand Indicators: Historical data including consumption per inhabitant, consumption trends, total consumption by energy source, final consumption by energy source and sector, and electricity consumption by sector.
- Energy Balances: Single table displaying the overall energy industry balance per annum, also graphically displayed by energy sub-segment.
- Infrastructure Projects: Covers power plant projects by energy, technology, status and operator, gas plant projects by status and operator and LNG contracts.
The South Korea energy market data since 1990 and up to 2021 is included in the Excel file accompanying the South Korea country report.
It showcases the historical evolution, allowing users to easily work with the data.
Key Data included in the excelsheet:
- Economic indicators: Annual historical economic indicators, energy security, energy efficiency and CO2 emissions.
- Supply indicators: Annual historical reserves, capacity, production and external trade (imports(+) exports(-) balance).
- Demand indicators: Annual historical consumption per capita, consumption trends, total consumption, final consumption (per energy and per sector) and electricity consumption total and per sector.
- Energy Balance: total and per energy.
- South Korea Energy Prices: In addition to the analysis provided on the report we also provided a data set which includes historical details on the South Korea energy prices for the follow items: price of premium gasoline (taxes incl.), price of diesel (taxes incl.), price of electricity in industry (taxes incl.), price of electricity for households (taxes incl.), price of natural gas in industry (taxes incl.), prices of natural gas for households (taxes incl.), spot price of Brent and CO2 emissions (from fuel combustion).
The South Korea country report is complemented with a national power generation dashboard (excel file) from our Power Plant Tracker Service.
Data included in the excelsheet:
- New capacities: Current power mix, installed capacity at date, capacity under construction and under development.
- Power Sector Performances: Historical data on installed capacity, power generation, thermal power plants inputs, average thermal power plant efficiency, CO2 emissions of the power sector, carbon factor of the power sector.
Projections Data (Excel Sheet)
The South Korea country dashboards are complemented with country forecasts from EnerFuture (excel file) with scenario comparison.
Data included in the excelsheet:
- Demand: Primary energy consumption, final energy consumption, by fuel, by sector.
- Power: Electricity generation & capacities, by technology.
- CO2: Total CO2 emissions.
- Macro-economy: Main macro-economic assumptions.
- Key indicators: Energy intensity, share of renewables, CO2 emissions per capita and per unit of GDP.
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