2023-09-06-世界银行-韩国工业部门能源效率政策的经验教训（英）-2023.8-100页_100页_798kb

Lessons from Korea’s Energy Efficiency Policies in the Industrial Sector

This report provides an in-depth analysis of Korea’s energy efficiency policies, focusing on their design, implementation, and outcomes in the industrial sector. The Korean government has developed a robust policy mix combining regulatory measures, voluntary incentives, and market-based approaches to address the complex barriers that firms face in adopting energy efficiency solutions, such as information asymmetry, financial constraints, and institutional fragmentation.

Key Policy Features

• Long-term Alignment: Korea’s policies are anchored in a legal and institutional framework (e.g., the Energy Use Rationalization Act) that aligns energy efficiency goals with broader national objectives like climate mitigation, energy security, and industrial competitiveness.
• Diverse Instrumentation: The policy toolkit includes mandatory energy audits, cap-and-trade systems, performance standards, public procurement preferences, and financial incentives (e.g., low-interest loans, tax credits).
• Voluntary Programs Complementing Regulation: Initiatives like the Voluntary Energy Efficiency Target Management Scheme (TMS) and Eco-Industrial Parks facilitate behavioral change and knowledge-sharing among firms.
• Strengthened Monitoring and Data Use: Korea has invested in monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems (e.g., KESIS, NETIS) to improve data transparency and program evaluation.
• Incremental Policy Development: Korea has regularly updated its energy efficiency programs, leveraging experimental approaches to adapt to evolving industrial and technological contexts.

Core Lessons

1. Align with National Goals and Establish Coordination Mechanisms: Korea’s success stems from a regulatory framework that coordinates stakeholders and ensures long-term alignment.

2. Incorporate Energy Intensity into Industrial Policy: Structural transformation toward less energy-intensive industries remains critical, though challenging for economies reliant on heavy manufacturing.

3. Develop Complementary Policy Mixes: Korea’s mix of regulatory and voluntary measures ensures broad participation, with programs designed to overcome specific barriers like information asymmetry and financial constraints.

4. Enhance MRV Systems and Leverage Digitalization: Continuous improvements to data collection and monitoring (e.g., smart meters, EnMS) reduce information gaps and enable better decision-making.

5. Promote Knowledge Sharing and Voluntary Agreements: Programs like the Learning Energy Efficiency Network (LEEN) and Energy Companionship facilitate collective action and technology transfer.

6. Build Robust Policy Implementation Capacity: Korea’s Korea Energy Agency (KEA) demonstrates the importance of clear mandates, regular monitoring, and strong institutional support for policy execution.

Korea’s experience highlights the need for tailored approaches to address economic structure, market barriers, and institutional capacity, offering valuable insights for both developed and developing economies.