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Energy
Korea, Morocco to Step Up Renewable Energy Partnership
Deputy Minister for Industrial Economic Policy Kim Kyung-Won traveled to Casablanca last week to seek closer cooperation with Morocco in various business areas. Addressing delegates at a joint renewable energy forum, Deputy Minister Kim praised Morocco’s “forward-looking” efforts to expand the use of renewable energy. Morocco’s sun and wind conditions put the country in an ideal position to build up its photovoltaic energy and wind power industries. In recognition of these advantages, the Moroccan government intends to generate 42 percent of the country’s total electric power from renewable energy sources by 2020. Meanwhile, Korea’s own green initiatives are on the right track with active investment and impressive growth in the renewable energy sector. Deputy Minister Kim welcomed what he called “exciting opportunities for cooperation” and said Korea’s advanced technology will benefit the North African partner’s photovoltaic energy and wind power industries so that its far-reaching plans can bear fruit. Ahead of the renewable energy forum, Deputy Minister Kim and Moroccan Secretary General of Industry, Trade and New Technology Mounia Boucetta signed a memorandum of understanding on industrial partnerships. The next day, the two sides held a joint business forum. * Released by the Middle East and Africa Division and the New and Renewable Energy Division date2011-06-02
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Energy
Korea, Cameroon to Cooperate on Minerals
Minister of Knowledge Economy Choi Joong-Kyung (center) stands with Cameroon’s Minister of Industry, Mines and Technology Development Badel Ndanga Ndinga and Korea Resources Corporation President Kim Shin-Jong at a signing ceremony on April 29 in Seoul. The two Ministers discussed cooperation on energy and resources and a memorandum of understanding establishing a mineral resources partnership between Korea and Cameroon was signed. date2011-05-12
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Energy
Vice Minister Visits Colombian Energy Minister
Vice Minister for Trade and Energy Park Young June poses with Colombian Minister of Mines and Energy Carlos Rodado Noriega on April 29 in Bogota following discussions on trade, investment and energy. date2011-05-12
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Energy
Vice Minister Visits Colombia for Energy Meeting
Vice Minister for Trade and Energy Park Young June poses with Colombian Minister of Mines and Energy Carlos Rodado Noriega on April 29 in Bogota. Vice Minister Park was in the country for the second meeting of the Colombia-Korea Joint Committee for Energy and Resources Cooperation. date2011-05-12
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Energy
‘Yellow Alert’ Saves Enough Energy to Power 1 Million Homes
The Ministry of Knowledge Economy’s “yellow alert,” an emergency energy conservation measure taken in response to high oil prices this past winter, is estimated to have saved more than 9 million kilowatt hours per day—nough energy to power more than a million homes. A review to assess the effectiveness of the emergency measure found that Korea had saved 96.2 million kilowatt hours per day between March 8 and April 17, as compared with the previous one-month period when less strict measures were in place. This figure was adjusted to 9 million kilowatt hours per day when the warmer spring weather was taken into account. The chart below shows Korea’s four alert levels, which correspond to the price of Dubai crude oil and determine what measures are required to conserve energy. Between February 8 and March 7, Korea was on “blue alert,” the lowest level on the scale. At the blue level, central heating is turned off for two hour-long periods per day during peak hours; indoor temperatures must be set no higher than 18 degrees Celsius; and employees must observe a weekly “no-driving day.” These restrictions apply to all the nation’s public agencies: central and local government agencies, government-affiliated organizations and public enterprises. But after oil prices remained above $100 per barrel for five straight days in February, the Ministry issued a “yellow alert” and imposed additional restrictions on energy use. At the yellow level, outdoor decorative lighting must be turned off in facilities managed by public organizations (such as towers, bridges and fountains). Private organizations must turn off their outdoor decorative lighting between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. In Seoul and the surrounding area, weekly no-driving days increased the use of public transit about 5.8 percent in March as compared with February. Nationwide, average daily gasoline sales fell from 28.5 million barrels in the first two months of 2011 to 25.1 million barrels between March 1 and April 10, a decline of about 12.1 percent. To encourage the public to participate in the national efforts to conserve energy, MKE is taking the following steps: * Released by the Energy Cooperation Division date2011-05-12
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Energy
Delegates Seek Clean Energy Partnerships at U.S.-Korea Energy Consultations
Working-level delegates from Korea and the United States gathered in Seoul last week to discuss the transition to a cleaner economy at the fourth U.S.-Korea Energy Consultations. Representatives of U.S. research institutions traveled to Korea to explore clean energy solutions such as carbon capture and storage, electric car batteries and clean coal. Nuclear energy, gas hydrates and smart grids were also addressed. The Consultations built on progress made last year at the first Clean Energy Ministerial in Washington, D.C. As a result of the Consultations, a number of joint projects are under consideration between Korea and the United States. The two countries have already taken an important step in the area of smart grids: The Ministry of Knowledge Economy is collaborating with the State of Illinois on a pilot project to dramatically reduce energy consumption in Chicago’s skyscrapers. * Released by the Energy and Resources Policy Division date2011-04-28
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Energy
Clean Energy Ministerial Produces Action on Smart Grids
Minister of Knowledge Economy Choi Joong-Kyung traveled to Abu Dhabi to attend the second Clean Energy Ministerial earlier this month. Korea, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico and the United States signed an agreement that will strengthen the International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN). ISGAN is a mechanism for multilateral collaboration in which Korea has taken the lead. The network was launched at the first Clean Energy Ministerial in July 2010, and the new implementing agreement will ensure its operational efficiency and institutional stability. Through ISGAN, countries can actively share information about ongoing smart grid projects so as to ensure the interoperability of the technology. This will facilitate the wider adoption of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, which can be harnessed safely and effectively once the advanced power grids are in use. “Globally, many countries have their own smart grid projects in various stages,” Minister Choi said at the Ministerial. “Considering how complex the systems are, it is imperative that we share our knowledge and enhance cooperation.” The Clean Energy Ministerial involved government ministers from more than 20 countries, who gathered to review the progress of their efforts to disseminate clean energy and increase energy efficiency. ISGAN was one of 11 initiatives launched at last year’s meeting. * Released by the Energy and Resources Policy Division * For further information, please see the attached files. 1. Transcript of the Minister’s presentation 2. CEM 2011 Fact Sheet: International Smart Grid Action Network (Source: ) date2011-04-21
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Energy
Vice Minister Celebrates Arbor Day
Vice Minister for Trade and Energy Park Young June (center) and energy company representatives plant a tree on April 5 to commemorate Arbor Day. The event symbolizes the government’s determination to address climate change and promote green growth. date2011-04-14
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Energy
Korea Steps Up Energy Partnerships With Africa
Deputy Minister for Energy and Resources Kim Junggwan traveled to Angola and Ghana last week to reinforce Korea’s economic and energy ties with both countries. In January, government officials from the two African countries had visited Korea separately to discuss bilateral partnerships, and the Deputy Minister’s visit was a follow-up to those meetings. At a joint economic forum in Angola, Deputy Minister Kim praised the African country for its rapid economic development and its political stability. The forum gave Angolan delegates a chance to explain the infrastructure projects the country is planning; these include the development of oil fields and the establishment of a refinery. Angolans have rolled up their sleeves to modernize the country through the establishment of infrastructure; to complete this task, they will require technology and skilled personnel. The Deputy Minister emphasized that Korea is actively spearheading a number of training initiatives in order to share its advanced technology with developing countries. Such activities could form the basis for a close cooperative relationship between the two countries, he added. In Ghana the Korean delegates learned about the country’s national growth strategy, with particular focus on the establishment of social and energy infrastructure. Deputy Minister Kim met with Amarquaye Armar, Special Advisor to the President of Ghana on Energy Sector Reform, Restructuring and Privatization, to discuss possible joint projects involving the construction of a refinery and a gas pipeline in Ghana. The two sides also signed a memorandum of understanding on energy cooperation, a long-awaited move that followed several months of negotiations. * Released by the Resources Development Policy Division date2011-03-31
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Energy
Korea, Poland Forge Nuclear Partnership
Vice Minister for Trade and Energy Park Young June recently traveled to Warsaw to discuss a potential nuclear partnership with Polish Commissioner for Nuclear Energy Hanna Trojanowska. The Korean delegation also included representatives of Korean energy businesses. Poland is looking to nuclear energy as a practical solution to diversify its energy sources and address climate change. Vice Minister Park noted that, in the face of higher oil prices and worsening environmental challenges, having a partner with vast expertise and knowledge of the nuclear industry would be a wonderful asset. On the same day, a business forum focused on possible joint projects involving renewable energy and the establishment of energy infrastructure in Poland. As a result of the free trade agreement that Korea and the European Union signed in October, Vice Minister Park emphasized that the two countries would enjoy many exciting opportunities to strengthen the bilateral relationship. As part of his weeklong trip to Eastern Europe, the Vice Minister also visited Romania and Bulgaria to forge stronger industrial and energy ties. * Released by the Europe and Americas Division date2011-03-21