Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 2 hrs ago
South Korea plans to count wastewater as renewable heat energy
South Korea plans to include wastewater and escaping groundwater in water-based renewable heat energy.
The change is part of a package of proposed rule changes announced by the climate ministry and a regulatory committee.
Current rules count heat drawn from surface seawater and river water, which officials say leaves out potential sources.
Japan and the European Union already use wastewater as a heat source.
The plan would also allow more solar projects in protected water-source areas, including floating panels on reservoirs, if local residents take part.
Some land-based projects would face fewer site restrictions when local cooperatives operate them and residents receive income.
The government is already moving to revise the rules, but the sources give no timetable for completion.
South Korea plans to include wastewater and discharged groundwater in the renewable heat-energy category known as hydrothermal energy.
The Climate, Energy and Environment Ministry and the Regulatory Rationalization Committee announced the plan on October 19.
A revision to the enforcement decree is already under way.
The current rules cover only energy obtained by converting heat from surface seawater and river water.
The plan is part of a broader package to ease regulations in the water industry.
- Who
- South Korea’s Climate, Energy and Environment Ministry and the Regulatory Rationalization Committee announced the plan.
- What
- The government plans to allow wastewater and discharged groundwater to qualify as hydrothermal energy.
- When
- October 19, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- The government says the current definition is too narrow, despite hydrothermal energy’s higher efficiency compared with other forms of energy that use temperature differences.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The procedure to revise the enforcement decree was already under way.
The government announced a regulatory plan that would expand the definition of hydrothermal energy.
- Proposed sources
- Wastewater and discharged groundwater
- Current sources covered
- Surface seawater and river water
- Announcement date
- October 19, 2026
- Announcing bodies
- Climate, Energy and Environment Ministry; Regulatory Rationalization Committee