S. Korean solar sector resumes legal battle against biomass

Solar industry says biomass subsidies are unconstitutional amid doubts over decarbonisation credentials

A South Korean lawsuit backed by solar companies alleging that government subsidies for biomass are unconstitutional will be refiled this month after initially being dismissed in 2020. The solar companies, many of which have parks close to the biomass plants, argue that subsidies infringe on their property rights and their right to clean air. Disproportionate funding for biomass makes it harder for solar and wind projects to achieve scale, the plaintiffs argue. “Biomass is not climate neutral” and is subsidised by the South Korean government in an “opaque” manner, says Joojin Kim, managing director of Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC) in Seoul. “We want to clarify this to Korean society.” Som