Resources

Korea Power Sector and Policy Landscape for Round-The-Clock Clean Power 

The Korea Sustainability Investing Forum (KoSIF), together with the international standards body EnergyTag, has published Korea Power Sector and Policy Landscape for Round-The-Clock Clean Power  The report examines whether electricity used by companies is clean on an hourly basis.

According to the report, Korea already has the foundational data needed to track electricity on an hourly basis. The rollout of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is nearing completion, and the Korea Power Exchange settles electricity hourly. The report’s core finding is that Korea’s challenge is institutional, not technical.

The report identifies three requirements for hourly certification: certificates that capture the time of generation; a registry that handles issuance, transfer, and retirement of certificates; and a legal basis that gives those certificates standing. It also reviews how international rules, including the GHG Protocol Scope 2 revision, RE100, the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), U.S. IRA Section 45V, and the EU RFNBO framework, are moving toward hourly matching.

Contents

1.   Overview of the power market

2.   Why real-time matching matters for Korea

3.   Renewable energy certificates and data infrastructure

4.   Hourly renewable electricity procurement in Korea

5.   Conclusion

Appendix A. International rules on real-time matching

Appendix B. Glossary

Appendix C. Global utilities offering hourly-matching green premium products

Key points

·       Structure and operation of Korea’s power market

·       Why hourly matching has become important for Korea, and trends in international rules (GHG Protocol Scope 2 revision, RE100, EU CBAM, U.S. IRA Section 45V, EU RFNBO)

·       Status of renewable energy certificates (RECs) and the data infrastructure needed for hourly tracking (AMI rollout; hourly settlement at the Korea Power Exchange)

·       Korea’s hourly renewable procurement options, including green premium, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and REC purchases

·       Policy recommendations for building an hourly certification system

The appendices also include source text on international real-time matching rules and a survey of real-time matching (green premium) tariffs offered by utilities worldwide.

Inquiries: seongeun.lee@kosif.org