Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 5 hrs ago
South Korea to count wastewater heat as renewable energy
South Korea will recognize heat from wastewater as renewable energy under a change to its renewable energy rules.
The change was approved by the Cabinet on Nov.
10 and takes effect on Nov.
17.
The government plans to add heat from sewage, treated wastewater, industrial water and other sources to the eligible types of water-based energy.
Water temperatures change more slowly than air temperatures, so its heat can cool buildings in summer and warm them in winter.
The climate ministry says wastewater treatment plants handling at least 500 tonnes a day discharge 20.9 million tonnes of water daily, which could provide monthly heating-level energy for 3 million households.
The ministry will identify and designate more eligible water sources under the expanded rules.
South Korea will recognize heat from wastewater and other discarded water as renewable energy for heating and cooling.
The Cabinet approved an amendment to the Renewable Energy Act enforcement decree on Nov. 10.
The amendment takes effect on Nov. 17.
The government plans to designate several water sources, including sewage and industrial water, as sources of water-based thermal energy.
The environment ministry estimates that using wastewater treatment plant outflows could provide 3 million gigacalories of energy each month.
- Who
- South Korea’s government, including the Climate, Energy and Environment Ministry.
- What
- Heat from wastewater and other discarded water will be recognized as renewable energy.
- When
- The Cabinet approved the amendment on Nov. 10, 2026. It takes effect on Nov. 17.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- To use heat from discarded water for heating and cooling and develop additional water-based thermal energy sources.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Cabinet approved an amendment expanding the types of water-based thermal energy recognized under the renewable energy rules.
The amendment is due to take effect.
- Effective date
- Nov. 17, 2026
- Newly listed sources
- Groundwater discharged from underground, sewage, treated sewage, wastewater, treated wastewater, reprocessed sewage and wastewater, and industrial water
- Potential monthly energy
- 3 million gigacalories
- Potential households served
- 3 million households with heating
- Example facility threshold
- Sewage treatment plants handling at least 500 tonnes per day
1 source
What people are saying
water that had been discarded