South Korea and Germany are strengthening their cooperation in the energy sector, focusing on expanding renewable energy, stabilizing power grids, and electrifying industries. The two countries have renewed their memorandum of understanding on energy cooperation and agreed to broaden their collaboration to include new technologies such as clean hydrogen, energy storage systems (ESS), and artificial intelligence (AI).
On October 30, at the InterContinental Hotel in Gangnam, Seoul, Lee Ho-hyun, the Second Vice Minister of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, met with Stefan Luenhoff, the Parliamentary State Secretary of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, to announce the renewal of the Joint Declaration of Intent (JDoI).
This renewal comes as both nations, recognized as manufacturing powerhouses, aim to simultaneously pursue carbon neutrality and enhance industrial competitiveness amid a transition to renewable energy-based energy systems and increased electrification of industries.
Since establishing an energy partnership in 2019, South Korea and Germany have continued their collaboration through energy policy dialogues, expert exchanges, and joint research. This latest agreement reflects the establishment of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment last year and aims to specify cooperation areas and strengthen implementation frameworks in response to changing energy conditions.
The two countries plan to expand cooperation in renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean hydrogen, power grids, ESS, AI, digital technologies, and low-carbon technologies. They will particularly focus on enhancing the stability and flexibility of power grids due to the increased deployment of renewable energy, digitalizing energy systems, and decarbonizing industrial sectors.
To facilitate this, the Korea-Germany Energy Transition Cooperation Committee will hold regular consultations between relevant departments to monitor the progress of cooperation projects. They will also continue to promote Korea-Germany Energy Day, joint research, and technology exchanges between companies.
Previously, on June 25, the two countries held the 8th Korea-Germany Energy Day in Berlin, discussing cooperation measures for establishing a low-carbon power system. Key topics included ensuring flexibility in power supply, integrating large-scale battery ESS into power grids, and battery recycling.
Lee Ho-hyun stated, "The transition to a renewable energy-centered system and the establishment of a stable and flexible power grid are core tasks for both countries that go beyond responding to the climate crisis and will determine future industrial competitiveness." He added, "This renewal of the Joint Declaration of Intent will allow our manufacturing powerhouses to combine policy experiences and technological capabilities."
He further emphasized the importance of expanding practical cooperation between research institutions and companies to turn the energy transition into an opportunity for industrial innovation.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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