‘Green Korea’ to be reality by 2030

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‘Green Korea’ to be reality by 2030

The government laid out its 20-year road map for a greener Korea yesterday.

To increase its reliance on renewable energy instead of fossil fuels, it will build new nuclear reactors and support the use of various alternative fuels.

During a National Energy Committee meeting, chaired by President Lee Myung-bak, officials set the goal of reducing reliance on fossil fuels to 61 percent by 2030 instead of the present 83 percent.

If the plan is carried out, it will result in savings of $34.4 billion in energy-related imports and create 950,000 new jobs, according to the NEC.

To increase the percentage of power generated by atomic reactors, the country will build 10 new nuclear reactors by 2030, which will cost 111.5 trillion won ($102.8 billion). To build these reactors, the government will acquire more land by 2010.

The NEC added that its aim is to increase Korea’s energy self-sufficiency from 4.2 percent at present, to 40 percent by 2030 and try to acquire more overseas oil fields and natural gas wells.

Currently, there are 20 nuclear reactors in operation in Korea, but the government said that it will increase their capacity to equal the two 1.4 million kilowatt capacity Shingori Nuclear Power Plants being built in Ulsan. The two plants are scheduled to be in operation by 2013, at the earliest.

Officials also said they are aiming for Korea’s use of clean, reusable energy to reach 11 percent by 2030, compared to 2.4 percent at present. To this end, officials will spend around 100 trillion won on facility investments and 11.5 trillion won on research and development.


By Cho Jae-eun Staff Reporter[jainnie@joongang.co.kr]
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