In the period from August 2024 to July 2025, electricity consumption in South Korea primarily relied on fossil fuels, which accounted for slightly more than half of the total electricity generated. With coal and gas contributing almost equally at around 27% and 27% respectively, it reflects a significant dependence on fossil energy. On the other hand, low-carbon or clean energy sources comprised nearly 43% of electricity generation. Notably, nuclear power stood out as the most substantial contributor within this category, supplying almost a third of the overall electricity. Meanwhile, solar energy made up about 7%, while biofuels and hydropower contributed to smaller shares, highlighting room for growth in sustainable electricity sources.
Data sources used on this page include EIA and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in South Korea?
Despite the necessity for growth in green electricity, overall electricity consumption in South Korea has seen a slight decline. As of 2025, electricity consumption per person was recorded at 11,297 kWh, which is reduced by around 130 kWh compared to the highest ever record in 2018. This stagnation poses concerns about the country's progress in electrification and meeting future energy demands. On a positive note, however, low-carbon electricity generation showed an encouraging upward trend. It reached 4,826 kWh per person, an increase of 220 kWh from its previous peak in 2024, indicating a beneficial shift toward cleaner electricity, which can alleviate air pollution and mitigate climate change.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, South Korea can strategically expand its existing nuclear infrastructure given its proven substantial contribution to the power mix. Learning from international regions could amplify this effort. For instance, France and Slovakia have successfully derived 69% and 67% of their electricity from nuclear sources, respectively. Following these examples could reinforce South Korea's nuclear output. Similarly, leveraging solar energy can also boost clean electricity, as countries like Lebanon and Nevada generate more than 30% of their electricity from solar. By focusing efforts on these sustainable forms of energy, South Korea can increase its low-carbon share of electricity generation and make significant strides toward a cleaner future.
History
Looking into the historical trends of electricity generation in South Korea reveals a consistent growth pattern in nuclear power, particularly evident throughout the late 1980s and 1990s. During this period, incremental annual increases such as 11 TWh in 1986 and 13.4 TWh in 1999 underscored a robust expansion strategy. However, recent years have seen some fluctuations, with critical declines in 2013 and 2018 by 11.5 TWh and 14.9 TWh, respectively, areas which require attention to prevent any compromise on the energy security and sustainability front. Despite these setbacks, the positive growth in 2014 and recent years such as 2022 and 2024, where increases of 17.6 TWh and 7.9 TWh were recorded, highlight the continued potential of nuclear power as a cornerstone of South Korea's low-carbon electricity future. Expanding this could be pivotal in driving the nation towards a sustainable and secure energy portfolio.
