South Korea launches 'Energy Team Korea' to spread green transition abroad

South Korea's Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy has launched "Energy Team Korea," a coordinated initiative bringing together state-owned enterprises, export support agencies and private companies to advance the country's green energy transition globally and spread its "Korean Green Transformation" model abroad.

The ministry convened the forum Thursday at the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation in Jongno-gu, Seoul, chaired by Minister Kim Sung-hwan to discuss the initiative's strategic direction.

The gathering drew eight state-owned enterprises — including Korea Electric Power Corporation, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and five power generation subsidiaries, and Korea Water Resources Corporation — alongside 14 private firms, among them Samsung C&T, Hyosung Heavy Industries, Doosan Enerbility, Samsung SDI, HD Hyundai Electric and Hanwha Solutions' Q Cells division. Seven export support agencies also participated, including Korea Trade Insurance Corporation, Export-Import Bank of Korea, KOTRA, Korea Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development Support and the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute.

The ministry aims to leverage domestic energy technology and project experience to expand the Korean Green Transformation model overseas. Participants reviewed energy demand and market conditions in target countries to identify promising sectors and explore ways to join overseas projects.

Supporting energy- and water-scarce communities abroad was another key agenda item. Participants examined ways to deliver electricity through solar power and energy storage systems and to use renewable energy to help address local water and food challenges. They also explored a cooperation model linking power supply projects with basic infrastructure such as schools and hospitals, aiming to improve living conditions for local residents while expanding business opportunities for Korean companies.

Drawing on their overseas project experience, participants proposed strengthening cooperation between public and private enterprises, making better use of policy financing, improving related regulatory systems and boosting exports of domestic technology and equipment. They also discussed ways to translate international cooperation in the energy and water sectors into concrete project participation for Korean firms abroad.

"Sharing our energy technology and experience with the world contributes to the international community while creating new growth opportunities for our companies," Kim said. "We will bring together the capabilities of government and the private sector to build a Korea that grows with the world through energy."