The Ministry of Climate Energy and Environment announced on June 23 that it participated in the launch of the "Electrify Now" initiative during the Global Energy Transition and Electrification High-Level Meeting (GETES) held in London.
This meeting coincided with London Climate Action Week, the largest private-led climate event in the world.
Amid rising tensions in the Middle East and increasing uncertainty in the international energy market, countries are recognizing the establishment of a stable power supply system as a new energy security challenge. Electrification has emerged as a key policy that influences economic and industrial competitiveness, going beyond merely being a means of carbon reduction.
The "Electrify Now" initiative aims to enhance energy security and accelerate carbon neutrality through international cooperation by expanding electrification in the industrial, building, and transportation sectors, developing power grids and energy storage systems (ESS), and promoting clean energy.
Participating countries include the European Union (EU), Brazil, Australia, Turkey, Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Barbados, the Philippines, as well as the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). South Korea was included in the founding member list at the request of the EU.
The participating nations agreed to collaborate on sharing best practices in electrification, strengthening national implementation plans, expanding investments in power grids, storage systems, and renewable energy, and providing financial and technological support to enhance energy resilience in developing countries.
Lee Chang-hoon, co-chair of the National Climate Crisis Response Commission, represented South Korea at the event, where he conveyed the government's commitment to expanding electrification and accelerating the transition to clean energy.
The expansion of electrification is expected to create opportunities for international collaboration in related domestic industries such as electric vehicles, batteries, and power equipment. Additionally, with the rise in electricity demand due to the spread of artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers, the importance of establishing a stable power grid is becoming increasingly critical.
The government plans to continue its international cooperation efforts by participating in the high-level meeting during the UN General Assembly Climate Week in September and the electrification summit at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in November.
Minister of Climate Kim Sung-hwan stated, "Accelerating electrification is an essential strategy not only for achieving climate goals but also for enhancing energy security and economic resilience. We will actively promote innovation in power grids and the expansion of clean energy in collaboration with the international community."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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