New air solar container energy storage system in Busan South Korea

Are South Korean companies investing in energy storage systems?

Less than a decade ago, South Korean companies held over half of the global energy storage system (ESS) market with the rushed promise of helping secure a more sustainable energy future. However, a string of ESS-related fires and a lack of infrastructure had dampened investments in this market.

Will South Korea install 540 megawatts of battery energy storage systems?

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy unveiled plans for a nationwide tender to install 540 megawatts of battery energy storage systems (BESS), marking the country's first major government-led deployment of its kind. The project is part of a broader effort to modernize South Korea’s power grid and support the transition to renewable energy.

Why are South Korea's EV battery makers moving to North America?

South Korea’s battery makers, including LG Energy Solution and SK On, have been squeezed by waning EV subsidies and shifting demand, prompting a strategic pivot toward North America, where demand for grid storage is accelerating.

Does South Korea have a battery industry?

But South Korea’s battery industry faces mounting pressure from China, whose manufacturers, led by CATL, currently account for nearly 90 percent of global energy storage battery capacity. CATL expanded its footprint in January by establishing a South Korean subsidiary, signaling an aggressive push into the local market.