K-Water generated 1,833 GWh of renewable electricity against 1,747 GWh of its own on-site use, and in May 2026 CDP certified that it had met RE100, the first of 36 Korean RE100 members to do so. Hydropower makes up about 74% of its renewable capacity of about 1.5 GW.
Where the power comes from
The Sihwa Lake tidal plant adds 254 MW and up to 552 GWh a year, and its output has been sold to Samsung Electronics under a power purchase agreement signed in May 2024. Floating solar is the growth area. By September 30, 2026, K-Water operated seven floating solar sites totalling 105.6 MW, including the 47.2 MW Imha plant, in commercial operation since July 30, 2025. A 95 MW project at Soyanggang Dam is planned at about KRW 190 billion.
Four targets in one year
The published 2030 goals range from 500 MW to 10 GW. In a February 9, 2026 interview, K-Water's chief executive cited 10 GW of floating solar by 2030. An announcement reported on May 10, 2026 gave 10 GW of total renewable capacity by 2030. On September 30, 2026, the climate and energy ministry described about 500 MW of floating solar by 2030, and a news report the same day gave 500 MW at 10 dams by 2029.
Why the gap matters
K-Water's water business still pays rising power bills. Electricity and utility charges reported for bulk water rose from KRW 178.0 billion in 2021 to KRW 328.7 billion in 2025, an increase of 84.7%. In FY 2024 the water supply segment ran a -3.6% operating margin, while the dam segment, which sells hydropower, earned 30.0%.
Which 2030 figure to plan against, how K-Water can use its own generation to cut water costs, and how its digital, climate and capital programs fit together are examined in the full analysis. The full report, Water Utility of the Future: K-Water, is available for USD 499. For a free overview, read the K-Water Utility Snapshot.