RE100 urges Korean ministers to strengthen competitiveness through renewables

RE100 has called on the Korean government to safeguard its industrial development and energy security by positioning the country as a leader in renewable electricity in Asia-Pacific.

As Korea hosted the Clean Energy Ministerial in Busan, RE100 and the Global Renewables Alliance wrote to senior Korean ministers to urge them to strengthen the country's global competitiveness through renewable electricity. 

The letter highlights Korea’s vast renewables potential and strong corporate demand for renewable electricity. RE100 members alone consume over 60 Twh of electricity in Korea each year, meaning around 10% of the nation’s electricity use is committed to 100% renewable electricity.

RE100 and GRA letter to the Korean government 2025-08-28.pdf

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GRA-및-RE100의-서한.2025-08-28.pdf

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Also supported by the Corporate Renewable Energy Foundation (CREF)Asia Clean Energy Coalition (ACEC)SEMI Energy Collaborative (SEMI EC)We Mean Business Coalition (WMBC) and Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA), the letter welcomes recent government plans for RE100 industrial complexes and grid expansion, but calls for faster action in five areas:

• Embed a modern, inclusive energy security framework into national policy to ensure long-term competitiveness, resilience, and prosperity.
• Increase renewable ambition in the 12th Basic Plan, unlocking offshore wind, streamlining permitting, expanding storage, and modernising the grid.
• Set ambitious, actionable NDC targets with clear sector-specific renewable energy goals, including coal phase-out.
• Improve renewable procurement through better pricing, wider access to PPAs, and internationally recognised certificates.
• Strengthen public-private cooperation and regional leadership through platforms like the Clean Energy Ministerial.

“Korea's industrial giants are ready to support the government in kick-starting the country's renewable electricity future. Recent policy announcements on renewables are encouraging for the 180 RE100 members working in Korea, but we're at the start of the journey. Ambitious goals, increased investment in the grid and improved access to renewable sourcing options such as PPAs, are critical if Korea is to seize this opportunity to become a regional energy leader.”

Policy action is not just critical for the climate, the group argues, but also for creating quality jobs, driving economic growth, building local industry and opportunities for businesses in Korea and the wider region. With the right policy environment, corporate buyers are ready to invest and renewable suppliers are prepared to deliver, unlocking true partnership and growth.