{"id":2207286,"date":"2024-11-27T15:05:39","date_gmt":"2024-11-27T06:05:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2207286"},"modified":"2024-11-27T15:05:39","modified_gmt":"2024-11-27T06:05:39","slug":"why-south-koreas-ambitious-plan-to-phase-out-coal-faces-serious-headwinds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/11\/why-south-koreas-ambitious-plan-to-phase-out-coal-faces-serious-headwinds\/","title":{"rendered":"Why South Korea\u2019s ambitious plan to phase out coal faces serious headwinds"},"content":{"rendered":"
South Korea\u2019s trade ministry has <\/span>announced<\/span><\/a> a plan to phase out over 75% of the country\u2019s coal-fired power plants by 2039, an ambitious effort to align the country with global decarbonization trends and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.<\/span><\/p>\n Introduced last week alongside the establishment of a \u201cCoal Power Transition Taskforce,\u201d the initiative reflects the ROK\u2019s recognition of the need to transition from coal, which it currently relies on for <\/span>roughly a third<\/span><\/a> of its energy needs.<\/span><\/p>\n But the road map faces significant headwinds, and its success will hinge on whether the country can overcome energy security risks, economic disruptions from the transition and <\/span>inertia<\/span><\/a> in its adoption of renewable energy.<\/span><\/p>\n Without decisive action to address these issues, the coal phase-out risks becoming an aspirational goal that further exposes South Korea\u2019s energy vulnerabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n ENERGY SECURITY RISKS<\/b><\/p>\n South Korea\u2019s <\/span>reliance on imported energy<\/span><\/a> is already a critical vulnerability for the country, and the coal phase-out threatens to exacerbate this. By replacing coal with liquefied natural gas (LNG) and nascent technologies such as <\/span>green hydrogen and ammonia<\/span><\/a>, the country risks deepening its dependence on geopolitically sensitive imports.<\/span><\/p>\n The volatility of LNG markets, influenced by tensions in the Middle East and trade disputes involving the U.S. and China, could leave South Korea vulnerable to supply disruptions and price spikes.<\/span><\/p>\n Hydrogen and ammonia, touted as the cornerstones of South Korea\u2019s zero-carbon strategy, are still far from becoming viable alternatives to coal. Their infrastructure is underdeveloped, and scaling them to meet energy demand will require substantial investment and time.<\/span><\/p>\n These delays could create critical gaps in energy supply as coal plants are decommissioned, raising the possibility of power shortages or <\/span>increased energy costs<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n The road map\u2019s reliance on these technologies without addressing the immediate risks tied to LNG exposes a strategic blind spot.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n