3rd
biggest LNG importer in the world (2020)
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 2020 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 2021
Format:
4 files (PDF report, 3 Excel files)
Pages:
39 (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 pledged to decrease its GHG emissions by around 25% by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
- The electricity and gas supply is dominated by two public companies, KEPCO and Kogas. The oil refining and distribution is controlled by private players.
- Electricity production has been decreasing slightly since 2018. CO2 free power sources accounted for 37% of the power mix in 2020.
- Household electricity prices have fallen by 4%/year since 2014. Oil prices fell by 20% since 2018.
- Total energy consumption fell by around 3% in 2020.
- Very large renewables projects are under consideration to reach 40% of the power capacity in 2034.
-14%
CO2 emissions from fuel combustion since 2017
~-3%
energy consumption in 2020
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
Oil:
Korea depends on imports to meet its entire oil demand. Thanks to the increase in its refining capacities, Korea has been a net exporter of oil products since 1997. In 2020, net oil product exports stood at around 26 Mt (-7.9%) and net crude oil imports were 133 Mt (-8.5%).
Energy Prices
Electricity:
Electricity prices reached US$9.4c/kWh in industry and US$10c/kWh for households in 2020. These prices are in line with the regional average. Industry prices have fallen in fits and starts since 2014 (-6% in 2015 and 2019, for an average of -1.9%/year over 2014-2020), while prices for households have fallen more gradually (-4.4%/year over 2014-2020).
Energy Consumption
Total energy consumption fell by 3.3% in 2020 to 283 Mtoe, after a period of stable consumption over 2016-2019.
Oil covers 36% of the energy needs, coal 24%, gas 17%, primary electricity 16% (of which nuclear 15%, hydro, wind and solar 1%), and biomass 7%. Since 2010, the share of coal has decreased by 5 points, while that of biomass has increased by 3 points.
Issues & Prospects
KEEI's Korea Mid-Term Energy Demand Outlook (2019) foresees growth in the total energy consumption of around 1.5%/year over 2018-2023.
According to forecasts from the POLES model, which is Enerdata's in-house model for Global Energy Markets, the country's consumption should decrease slightly by around 1%/year between 2025 and 2050 if its NDC commitments are met.
- GENERAL OVERVIEW
- INSTITUTIONS AND ENERGY POLICY
- ENERGY SUPPLY
- ENERGY PRICES
- ENERGY CONSUMPTION
- ISSUES AND PROSPECTS
- DATA TABLES
- ABBREVIATIONS
- GLOSSARY
Below is a list of the South Korea energy market report graphs:
- GRAPH 1: CO2-energy emissions (MtCO2)
- GRAPH 2: Installed electric capacity by source (2020, %)
- GRAPH 3: Gross power production by source (TWh)
- GRAPH 4: Power generation by source (2020, %)
- GRAPH 5: Gasoline & diesel prices (US$/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 (2020, %)
- GRAPH 10: Final consumption Market share by sector (2020, %)
- GRAPH 11: Oil consumption (Mt)
- GRAPH 12: Oil consumption breakdown by sector (2020, %)
- GRAPH 13: Electricity consumption (TWh)
- GRAPH 14: Electricity consumption breakdown by sector (2020, %)
- GRAPH 15: Natural gas consumption (bcm)
- GRAPH 16: Gas consumption breakdown by sector (2020, %)
- GRAPH 17: Coal consumption (Mt)
- GRAPH 18: Coal consumption breakdown by sector (2020, %)
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 2020 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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