Promoting Acceptance of Wind and Solar Energy in Korea

Since 2017, the Moon government has taken significant steps to promote the energy transition of the Republic of Korea: Nuclear and coal-fired power are to be gradually reduced and the share of renewable energies significantly increased. However, whether the energy transition succeeds will be determined above all by public acceptance, which is a major challenge in Korea. The nuclear industry is offering strong resistance, and targeted disinformation campaigns are unsettling the population. They are, for example, concerned about the stability of the energy system when the share of renewables increases, and at the same time have little knowledge about the risks and the environmental damage associated with conventional energy sources.

Against this background, adelphi conducted a study as part of the energy dialogue between the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy and Korea. The study provides a comparative analysis of the status of and challenges for the acceptance of renewables in Korea and Germany, taking a closer look at different spheres of acceptance: socio-political, market and community acceptance.

How can the acceptance of wind and solar energy be promoted in the best possible way in Korea, where general approval of the population for the energy transition is still largely missing? Based on the evaluation of relevant literature and best practice examples from Germany, the study shows how information campaigns and transparent communication, involving citizens during the planning and decision-making processes or the financial participation of local communities could increase the acceptance of renewables in Korea. Additionally, it shows the potential of an intensified energy policy exchange between Germany and Korea in this context.