The prediction of CO2 emissions in domestic power generation sector between 2020 and 2030 for Korea

Abstract

In the last ten years, reducing CO2 emissions has been a very important focus across all industries. To efficiently achieve carbon reduction in the power generation sector, various policies, regulations, and legislation have been proposed. In addition, new energy sources and technologies have been developed and widely adopted. In this study, current and future CO2 emissions from the domestic power generation sector were calculated and predicted based on two national power generation plans. The overall power plant efficiencies, operation rate of power plants, power capacities, and CO2 emissions for 2030 were predicted based on the 7th and 8th basic plan for long-term electricity supply and demand in Korea. In addition, the CO2 emissions policies of several major countries announced in accordance with the Paris Climate Agreement were identified and compared with Korea's climate change policy. Finally, the improvement of power generation efficiencies and co-combustion of biomass with coal is recommended to help the reduction of the BAU-based CO2 emissions by 19.4%.