Private Council Energy Alliance Forum
"CF100 Emerges as an Alternative to RE100"
There is an argument that policy efforts to foster nuclear power and clean hydrogen are crucial to achieving 'Carbon Free 100% (CF100),' which means using clean energy with zero carbon emissions.
Energy Alliance, a private-led consultative body established by domestic energy companies and research institutions, held a 'CF100 Forum' on the 15th at Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul, to discuss the prospects and response measures for CF100.
CF100 is emerging as a more realistic alternative than 'RE100 (Renewable Electricity 100%),' which replaces 100% of electricity demand solely with renewable energy, by including nuclear power, hydrogen, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies. Global companies such as Google and Microsoft have also adopted this approach.
Attendees at the forum included representatives from Energy Alliance member companies such as SK E&S, GS Energy, POSCO International, Hanwha Energy, Hyosung Heavy Industries, Doosan Fuel Cell, Doosan Enerbility, DL Energy, SK Gas, Hyundai Motor Company, and Hyundai Research Institute. Government officials including Park Il-jun, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Lee Won-joo, Director of Energy Policy, were also present.
Vice Minister Park said, "Discussing CF100 is significant in promoting the use of sustainable and diverse carbon-free energy sources that contribute to achieving carbon neutrality, including not only solar and wind power but also nuclear power and hydrogen." He requested, "Experts from various fields and the industry should actively seek measures that fit our conditions and realities."
The participants shared the current status and prospects of CF100 and discussed the necessity of introducing CF100 and practical methods suitable for domestic conditions.
Jang Woo-seok, Head of Industrial Research at Hyundai Research Institute, said, "Along with nuclear power, clean hydrogen is also a key resource for CF100, requiring policy-driven nurturing efforts." He added, "The clean hydrogen power generation bidding market should be established within this year to open the clean hydrogen era early and accelerate carbon neutrality."
Professor Lee Sang-jun of Seoul National University of Science and Technology said, "According to the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), nuclear power is a representative beneficiary industry due to continuous operational economic improvements." He added, "This is also positive for South Korea’s nuclear power export business, as a nuclear power powerhouse."
Professor Son Yang-hoon of Incheon National University suggested, "Considering the recent issues on energy security in a situation where achieving carbon neutrality with limited renewable energy utilization is difficult, abundant domestic nuclear power generation will be a realistic alternative for carbon neutrality."
Professor Cho Hong-jong of Dankook University emphasized the role of clean hydrogen, saying, "Decarbonization of electric energy is possible through clean hydrogen, and clean hydrogen can also be applied to replace energy sources in mobility and fossil energy-utilizing industries."
Choo Hyung-wook, Chairman of Energy Alliance and CEO of SK E&S, stated, "Both RE100 and CF100 are important," but added, "In the case of CF100, various industries such as nuclear power and hydrogen can be utilized, making it a realistic alternative and new opportunity in South Korea, where RE100 is practically difficult due to limited land."
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