Renewable Energy Potential in Korea and Germany

Keywords: International Energy Transition, Renewable Energy Potential, energy independence  | Study published: January 2024 

The transformation into decarbonized economies presents Germany and Korea with comparable challenges. While overall energy consumption figures are set to decline in the respective net-zero-year, increased electrification and the overall need to decarbonize require rapid expansion of renewable energy sources. This meta study shows that depending on both countries’ respective geographical preconditions, potentials for the individual renewable energy sources vary. While Germany has higher overall potentials for onshore wind and solar energy, when looking at offshore wind energy, Korea’s roughly eight-times greater marine area leads to a far higher overall potential than Germany has. The study concludes that both Germany and Korea have the opportunity to reap the manifold benefits of the clean energy transformation. Sufficient renewable potential is available within their own borders to achieve their net-zero emission targets. A predominantly independent, cost-efficient and climate-friendly energy supply is therefore dependent on today’s political decisions, research and development and social acceptance of the transformation in the general public. 

Overall, this meta study concludes that both Germany and Korea have the opportunity to reap the manifold benefits of the clean energy transformation with renewable potentials available within their own borders.