
The Republic of Korea installed 1,035 MW of wind power capacity by the end of 2016. In 2017, that capacity increased to approximately 1,165 MW. Wind power capacity in Korea increased 21% in 2016 and another 12% in 2017. The required rate of Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) in 2017 was 4.0% and the sixth-year target for RPS was almost achieved.
Construction began on the first stage of a 2.5-GW offshore wind farm in the southwest coast (originally proposed in 2010). Additionally, construction of a 60-MW wind farm is still in progress following delays due to environmental issues. Environmental issues and social acceptance are barriers to Korea’s wind energy deployment.
A new renewable energy deployment goal was proposed during the presidential election in 2017. A detailed deployment plan was announced in December 2017 suggesting new deployment targets and new incentive programs including RPS.
To learn more about wind energy in Korea, please review their chapter in the
IEA Wind TCP 2017 Annual Report.