Korea's renewable energy plan must prioritize energy security
The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has exposed Korea’s strategic vulnerability to imported fossil fuels. Korea imports 84 percent of its energy, and virtually all of it arrives by sea through contested maritime chokepoints. Its vulnerability to external disruption, a longstanding risk, has become more apparent and less acceptable. Soon, Korea will announce K-GX, its strategy for turning climate…
The recent crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has highlighted South Korea's reliance on imported fossil fuels. The nation imports 84 percent of its energy, with virtually all of it transported through sea routes that pass through contested maritime chokepoints. This vulnerability to external disruption, a risk that has persisted for some time, has become increasingly unacceptable.
South Korea is expected to unveil K-GX, its plan to transform climate commitments into industrial growth, presenting an opportunity to mitigate these risks.
During my time overseeing military bases and associated energy policy at the U.S. Department of Defense, I was tasked with planning for potential electricity cuts. Our bases had critical missions that required a stable energy supply, necessitating the assumption that the grid could fail. Similarly, South Korea should adopt a similar mindset, recognizing that its supply lines may be disrupted at any time. The challenge is to minimize exposure to external energy shocks.
When I was at the Department of Defense, a range of options for energy security were available, including diesel generators and solar battery systems. However, resilience was not the only factor to consider. There were other constraints to address as well.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Korea's renewable energy plan must prioritize energy security koreatimes.co.kr
