Shapps Champions UK-Korea Green Energy Alliance in Seoul
Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps landed in Seoul on a mission: to boost UK-Korea cooperation in renewable energy and slam Russia’s grip on global gas supplies.
UK firms already bag 60% of South Korea’s offshore wind engineering contracts. Korea is investing heavily in UK offshore wind projects, showing the partnership is firing on all cylinders.
Solidarity Against Putin’s Energy Blackmail
Shapps didn’t mince words about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine has held up a mirror to the world,” he said. “Russia’s gas – just like the president himself – belongs in the past.”
He called on Korea to push its coal power phase-out from 2050 to 2030, linking it with the UK’s expertise in offshore wind technology. The aim? Cut reliance on fossil fuels faster and starve Putin’s energy weapon of influence.
Historic UK-Korea Nuclear Deal and Renewables Drive
Marking the first Cabinet minister’s visit since sealing the UK’s spot in the CPTPP trade deal, Shapps signed a joint statement with Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, Dr Lee Chang-Yang. It pledges a deepened partnership on civil nuclear power—focusing on safety, regulation, and innovation, including small modular reactors.
This builds on three decades of collaboration under the 1991 Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, reinforcing nuclear as key to clean, affordable energy in both nations.
Big Green Bucks and Jobs on the Horizon
Shapps showcased the UK as a hotbed for green investment. He spotlighted SeAH Wind’s whopping £512million Teesside factory for offshore turbine foundations, backed by the Government’s Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme.
The UK targets 50GW offshore wind by 2030—a threefold jump from today’s 14GW—while Korea aims for 12GW by the same year, with 25 projects underway.
Grant Shapps said:
“I want the Republic of Korea to work ever closer with us in the UK, making the most of world-leading British expertise to move further and faster towards greater use of renewables.
“Together, we can redouble efforts to beat Putin’s weaponising of our global energy sources.”
Shapps’ visit comes amid the UK Government’s “Power Up Britain” plan, pledging billions to green tech, bolstering energy security, creating jobs, and slashing fossil fuel dependency.
The message is clear: UK and Korea must team up to kick coal and Russian gas to the curb, secure clean energy futures, and cash in on the booming global renewables market.
