South Korea commits to 100 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030
Updated
Updated · Rolling Stone · Apr 26
South Korea commits to 100 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030
12 articles · Updated · Rolling Stone · Apr 26
The move comes as the Strait of Hormuz closure, now nearing two months, has triggered global oil and gas price surges, with Asia hardest hit and South Korea facing a severe energy crisis.
South Korea’s energy minister calls the Iran war a turning point, accelerating the shift from oil to renewables. Other Asian countries and Europe are also intensifying efforts to boost renewable energy and energy security.
Europe appears more resilient due to previous energy shocks, while the US government resists renewables despite rising consumer interest. Experts note global transitions could lower costs, create jobs, and improve public health.
Has Europe's last energy crisis truly prepared it for this new global shock?
Can the global push for renewable energy outpace the economic damage from this oil shock?
Will the energy crisis accelerate a permanent economic divide between rich and poor nations?
Which nations are best positioned to economically dominate in this new energy landscape?
As nations flee oil dependency, are they walking into a new green-tech supply trap?
Is the world trading an immediate oil crisis for a future food security timebomb?
How the 2026 Middle East Crisis Accelerated South Korea’s Renewable Energy Surge to 100 GW
Overview
The 2026 Iran conflict sharply exposed South Korea's heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels, triggering a surge in oil and gas prices and prompting urgent government action, including restarting nuclear reactors and enacting emergency resource laws. This crisis accelerated a national shift toward renewable energy, with a bold target of 100 GW by 2030, mainly solar, despite challenges like dependence on Chinese solar imports and rising electricity demand from high-tech industries. The transition also involves phasing out coal by 2040, advancing hydrogen steelmaking, and expanding electric and hydrogen vehicles. To support this, South Korea is reforming policies, modernizing the grid, and addressing supply chain vulnerabilities, all to enhance energy security and economic resilience amid geopolitical risks.