A review of the deployment programs, impact, and barriers of renewable energy policies in Korea

Recently, renewable energy has dramatically grown in the power sector. In 2017, the global renewable energy capacity reached a total of 2,195 GW, and solar PV and wind power led to most global renewable energy growth. However, there are still numerous challenges to deploying renewable energy in power plants and buildings. Therefore, many countries are attempting to reform renewable energy policies to overcome drawbacks, using mandatory regulations, incentives and subsidies, and other support programs. In Korea, renewable energy policy started in the 1980s, but it has not been a high priority in national energy policies. However, in 2017, the government pledged a phase-out of nuclear plants and suggested renewable energy as alternative national energy sources for the future. Therefore, this study investigated the structure, drivers, and challenges of renewable energy policies in Korea. There have been many challenges in renewable energy policies to develop localized plans for Korea (i.e., rosy prospects of renewable energy projects, physical space restraints for renewable installations in buildings, and quantitative supply-oriented renewable policies). The outcome of this study would contribute to the development of improved policies to achieve the Renewable Energy 3020 Plan in Korea.