South Korea cuts LNG-burn, leans more on coal and nuclear

Friday, 04 September 2026

Nuclear reactor restarts and increased coal-fired generation through the spring displaced LNG in the South Korean power mix as Qatari supply fell away, allowing utilities to defer procurement rather than chase spot cargoes priced above $20 per MMBtu. As a result, LNG’s share in Korean power generation fell to 22–24 percent in the first half of 2026, down from roughly 26–28 percent in pre-year period.


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