- Science named the global surge in renewable energy its 2025 “Breakthrough of the Year,” highlighting its role in tackling climate change and driving economic transformation.
- South Korea is advancing a 100GW renewable target by 2030, expanding community-led solar and wind “pension” models and accelerating offshore wind development nationwide.
In December last year, the journal Science named the global surge in renewable energy its “Breakthrough of the Year” for 2025. The decision marked a rare shift from pure scientific discovery to real-world transformation. As a result, the recognition highlighted renewable energy as a driver of economic change, not only climate mitigation.
Meanwhile, the government of South Korea has placed renewable expansion at the centre of national strategy. Under its 2026 business plan, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment outlined a roadmap to decarbonise the Republic of Korea. Specifically, the plan targets 100 gigawatts of renewable capacity by 2030.
At the local level, authorities have accelerated community-based models. In Sinan-gun, officials introduced a “sunlight pension” scheme that distributes solar farm profits to residents. Consequently, the programme has generated stable income and reversed population decline. After years of contraction that began in 2014, the county recorded growth in 2023 and 2024. The initiative also won gold for green energy at the Green World Awards.
In Yeoju’s Guyang-ri village, a 1 MW solar plant operates as a shared community asset. The project funds free bus services and meals for residents. Building on this model, the government now plans to establish more than 2,500 “sunlight income villages” nationwide by 2030.
Wind power has also strengthened regional development. Korea East-West Power operates the Taebaek Gadeoksan Wind Power Complex in Gangwon-do Province. Since 2022, the site has generated about 160,000 megawatt-hours annually. That output powers roughly 43,000 households. Through a “wind pension” scheme, the city shares profits with residents. The project received the Prime Minister’s Award at the Korea Energy Awards for job creation and community benefit.
In addition, lawmakers have reinforced policy support. The government passed the Special Act on the Promotion of Offshore Wind Power Distribution and Industry Development to speed up offshore deployment. Furthermore, Korea Electric Power Corporation completed the Hanlim Offshore Wind Power Project on Jeju Island. The facility produces 234 gigawatt-hours annually and supplies around 65,000 households. About 1,000 nearby residents share in its profits.
Jeollabuk-do Province has launched the first phase of a 2.4 GW offshore wind project off Gochang-gun. At the same time, Incheon, Taean-gun, Gunsan and Sinan-gun are advancing offshore wind clusters.
These efforts demonstrate that renewable energy in South Korea now drives economic revitalisation and citizen participation. Therefore, climate policy increasingly aligns with community wealth creation and national industrial growth.