Germany and South Korea renew Energy Partnership and broaden dialogue

Germany and South Korea have renewed their longstanding Energy Partnership, setting strategic priorities for future cooperation and expanding their dialogue on digital technologies, grids and industrial needs.

Germany and South Korea have reaffirmed their cooperation on energy policy. During his visit to South Korea, Stefan Rouenhoff, Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), signed a Joint Declaration of Intent with Hohyeon Lee, South Korea’s Vice Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment. The declaration renews the Korean-German Energy Partnership, established in 2019.

Both countries face similar energy challenges. As export-oriented industrial economies with high energy import dependence, they must maintain reliable and affordable energy supplies while advancing decarbonisation. Growing electricity demand, particularly from AI data centres and energy-intensive industries, adds further urgency to these challenges.

The renewed partnership also addresses energy supply and efficiency in data centres and industrial sectors such as semiconductor manufacturing, as well as the expansion and modernisation of electricity grids. It also highlights opportunities for exchanging expertise on smart grids and AI applications in the energy sector. Closer business cooperation, including joint projects, supply chains and investments, is another priority.

The two countries intend to advance cooperation through expert exchanges, delegation visits, conferences and specialised events, bringing together policymakers, industry representatives and technical experts.

adelphi consult supports BMWE in implementing the Korean-German Energy Partnership, facilitating policy dialogue, expert exchanges and bilateral events. The renewed declaration provides an updated framework for this work and the partnership's future priorities.

Further information on activities and developments is available on the Korean-German Energy Partnership website.