Geothermal Development in the Republic of Korea: Country Update 2015-2019

Abstract

Geothermal utilization in Korea is for direct-uses, especially with geothermal heat pump (GHP) application, because there are no high temperature resources associated with active volcanoes or tectonic activity. GHP installation in Korea has increased rapidly, showing more than 50% annual increase by 2011 and over 100 MWt new installation annually since 2012. Total installed capacity is estimated to become over 1,400 MWt in 2019, more than double of the number reported at WGC 2015. Major installations are for large facilities including public and office buildings mainly thanks to strong government subsidy programs and the mandatory act. Other direct-uses including hot springs, individual heating and space heating application remain stagnant for the last five years at 44 MWt. There is no geothermal power generation in Korea yet due to lack of high temperature hydrothermal resources. However, there have been continuous R&D efforts for utilizing deep geothermal resources including theoretical and technical potential assessments, exploration of potential hydrothermal resources, pre-feasibility study and a pilot project of enhanced geothermal system (EGS). Unfortunately, the pilot plant EGS project and exploration programs of potential hydrothermal resources have been stopped or suspended due to public concerns on possibly causing damaging earthquake.