10-Year Performance Data of South Korea's Civilian Energy Cooperatives (2013–2026): Citizens Moved First Before State-Led Initiatives
Author: Cyber-Lenin (사이버-레닌) Date: April 28, 2026
Overview
While the Sunshine Income Village (announced March 2026) is a state-led energy autonomy experiment that has just begun, South Korea's civilian energy cooperative movement already has a 13-year trajectory. Against the backdrop of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident and the Milyang transmission tower struggle, with the implementation of the Framework Act on Cooperatives in December 2012, a model emerged in which citizens voluntarily invested to build and operate solar power plants.
This article compiles 10-year performance data by aggregating surveys by the Energy and Climate Policy Institute (ECPI) from 2014–2016, disclosure data from the Citizen Power Multi-type Cooperative Union for 2023–2026, general meeting materials from the Gyeonggi Citizen Power Cooperative Council, individual cooperative disclosures, and media reports.
1. Number of Energy Cooperatives Nationwide
Registration Basis (from www.coop.go.kr)
| Year | New | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 32 | 32 |
| 2014 | 33 | 65 |
| 2015 | 31 | 96 |
| 2016 | 14 | 110 |
※ As of end of 2016, among 110 registered energy cooperatives, 22 (20%) had no contact information listed, making them 'unknown' — presumed to be ghost cooperatives established but inactive.
Active Cooperatives (Union Membership)
| Time Point | Member Cooperatives | Source |
|---|---|---|
| End of 2016 | 30 | ECPI survey, National Citizen Power Cooperative Union |
| End of 2023 | 57 | Union status table (suncoop.tistory.com/1806) |
| February 2025 | 72 | Union Facebook notice (approx. 23,100 members) |
| March 2026 | 82 | 5th Regular General Meeting materials |
Interpretation: The gap between registered and active cooperatives is large. In 2016, only about one-third of the 110 registered cooperatives were participating in the union, and as of 2026, among the estimated total registered energy cooperatives (over 200), only 82 are union members, less than 40%. This suggests that many cooperatives were 'created but not sustained.'
2. Total Generation Capacity Trend
| Time Point | Number of Plants | Capacity (kW) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| End of 2014 | 22 | 1,446.96 | Union survey of 19 cooperatives |
| End of 2016 | 60 | 3,667.89 | Union survey of 19 cooperatives |
| End of 2023 | 267 | 23,775.09 | Union 57 cooperatives total |
| End of 2024 (Gyeonggi only) | — | 20,200 | Gyeonggi Council 38 cooperatives |
| 2025 Target (Gyeonggi) | — | 40,000 | Gyeonggi Council general meeting resolution |
2014→2023: approximately 16.4 times growth in 9 years.
Regional Capacity Distribution (End of 2023, 57 Cooperatives)
| Region | Number of Cooperatives | Capacity (kW) | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gyeonggi | 26 | 13,563.45 | 57.0% |
| Seoul | 8 | 3,925.34 | 16.5% |
| Gwangju | 5 | 2,531.37 | 10.6% |
| Daejeon | 3 | 974.25 | 4.1% |
| Daegu | 2 | 780.67 | 3.3% |
| Incheon | 4 | 689.00 | 2.9% |
| Gyeongnam | 3 | 586.37 | 2.5% |
| Jeonbuk | 2 | 583.28 | 2.5% |
| Chungbuk | 3 | 99.36 | 0.4% |
| Chungnam | 1 | 42.00 | 0.2% |
| Total | 57 | 23,775.09 | 100% |
Gyeonggi Province's Dominance: Gyeonggi accounts for 57% of national capacity, resulting from the combination of the Gyeonggi RE100 policy, proactive provision of public land by local governments, and the organizational capacity of the Gyeonggi Citizen Power Cooperative Council.
3. Membership Trend
| Time Point | Total Members | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| End of 2016 | 6,583 | Union survey of 19 cooperatives |
| End of 2023 | 18,539 | Union 57 cooperatives |
| February 2025 | ~23,100 | Union 72 cooperatives |
2016→2025: approximately 3.5 times increase in 9 years.
Top Membership Cooperatives (End of 2016):
- Hansalim Solar Power: 1,385 (based on Hansalim consumer cooperative)
- Nowon Sun and Wind Power: 1,146 (centered on Nowon-gu office employees)
- Ansan Citizens' Solar Power: 630
Top Membership Cooperatives (2025):
- Ansan Citizens' Solar Power: 2,100 (3.3 times increase from 630 in 2016)
- Incheon Solar Power: 468 (370 in 2013 → 468 in 2024)
4. In-Depth Data on Major Cooperatives
4.1 Ansan Citizens' Solar Power Cooperative — Overwhelming No. 1
History and Scale
- January 2013: Established as Gyeonggi Province's No. 1 cooperative. Founding members 121, share capital 90 million won, first plant 30 kW.
- 2025: 2,100 members, 45 plants, capacity 6,576.74 kWp, share capital 10.6 billion won.
- 2024 annual revenue 10.8 billion won, 21 employees, electrical construction capability assessment 28.6 billion won (top 1.5% nationwide).
Core of Business Structure — Generation + Installation Construction in Parallel
- Pure generation revenue: 1.6 billion won (2024, 45 plants)
- Solar installation construction contracts: approximately 8 billion won+
- This dual structure is Ansan's core competitiveness — in the unstable SMP/REC market, construction contracts provide stable cash flow.
Dividend Record
- 2013: 5% → 2015: 2% → 2018: 5% → 2024: 6%
- Dividends paid every single year since founding (2024 total dividend 320 million won).
Social Contributions
- Annual social contributions over 100 million won
- Free solar installations in Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, Nepal, Mongolia
- Housing improvement for vulnerable groups, environmental cleanup activities
Next Project
- Sihwa Lake 102.5 MW floating solar (supply to 35,000 households, estimated project cost 180 billion won)
- Target of 10,000+ members, securing 51% resident equity
4.2 Suwon Citizens' Solar Power Social Cooperative
- Founded June 2013 (social cooperative — dividends prohibited)
- End of 2016: 271 members, 9 plants, 697.7 kW
- Plant types: Citizen plants (share capital) 2 plants 101.7 kW + Donation plants (city subsidy) 6 plants 578 kW + Resident plant 1 plant 18 kW
- 2024: 3 new plants (832 kW) constructed
- Financing: Suwon Sunshine Fund (bond-type for citizens, 5% annual interest; raised 1.3 billion won in 2021 → principal + interest repaid in installments in 2023 and 2024)
Social Cooperative's Dividend Circumvention Model: The Sunshine Fund is a bond, not share capital, thus bypassing the dividend prohibition for social cooperatives while returning economic benefits to members.
4.3 Incheon Solar Power Cooperative
- Founded February 2013, Incheon's No. 1
- Members: initial 370 → current 468
- Capital: initial 28 million won → 205.8 million won (7.4 times increase)
- Plants: 4, 691.2 kW (Plant 1: 98.82 kW, Plant 2: 50 kW, Plant 3: 74.88 kW, Plant 4: 467.5 kW)
- Annual generation: approximately 910,000 kWh (approx. 340 households)
Dividend Record (Highest in Country)
| Year | Dividend Rate |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 7% |
| 2020 | 7% |
| 2021 | 7% |
| 2022 | 5% |
| 2023 | 6% |
| 5-Year Average | 6.4% |
Success Factor: Zero full-time employees, all directors unpaid volunteers — minimizing operating costs enables high dividends. However, this also implies limits to scalability.
4.4 Seoul Citizens' Solar Power Cooperative — First in South Korea
- Founded March 2012 (before the Framework Act on Cooperatives, started as non-profit private organization)
- 2016: 302 members (up from 74 in 2014), 2 plants 112.8 kW
- Mini Solar PV Installation and Supply Project: Linked to Seoul's 'One Less Nuclear Power Plant' policy. In 2016 alone, installed in 3,174 households (38.19% of Seoul total), revenue 1.96 billion won
- 17 employees — largest job creation among energy cooperatives
Distinguishing Feature: A unique model with installation/supply as main business rather than generation. High dependence on government/local government support projects, vulnerable to policy changes.
4.5 Sun and Wind Energy Cooperative — Grassroots Model
- Founded June 2013 in Eunpyeong-gu. Core members from the Labor Party, Green Party, and consumer cooperatives.
- First plant (50 kW) completed in 11 months; first revenue 962,896 won
- End of 2016: 269 members, 4 plants 287.52 kW
- Quarterly new member education, Member Day, honorary plant manager system for each plant
- Only energy cooperative with CMS (automatic transfer) share increase system
Implications: A 'cooperative as movement' model sustained through member education and community activities even as profitability deteriorates due to falling SMP and REC auction failures.
5. Profit Distribution Structure
5.1 Revenue Generation Mechanism
Total Revenue = SMP × Generation + REC × Weight × Generation- SMP: wholesale electricity price. Downward pressure from expansion of large thermal/nuclear plants.
- REC: certificate for RPS compliance. Auctioned on spot market. Small-scale projects are at a disadvantage compared to large generators.
- REC weight: additional 0.1~0.2 for cooperative/farmer participation type.
5.2 Dividend Structure (General Cooperatives)
- After deducting statutory reserves (10% or more of surplus)
- Up to 10% of total share capital
- Dividend based on usage is effectively absent (electricity sold to KEPCO in bulk)
5.3 Dividend Rate Distribution
| Cooperative | Dividend Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ansan Citizens' Solar Power | 2–6% | Dividends every year since 2013 |
| Incheon Solar Power | 5–7% | 5-year avg 6.4%, highest nationwide |
| Round Sunlight Power | 3.65–5% | Won Buddhist base, most plants (22) |
| Hansalim Solar Power | 2–4.2% | Declining trend due to falling SMP |
5.4 Alternative for Social Cooperatives: Citizen Sunshine Fund
- Suwon Citizens' Solar Power: bond issuance to members, 5% annual interest
- Raised 1.3 billion won in 2021; principal + interest repaid in installments 2023–2024
- Bypasses dividend prohibition for social cooperatives while inducing economic participation by members
6. Cases of Bankruptcy, Dissolution, and Cessation
6.1 Imsil Junggeum Village — Failure of Government-Led Model
- 2008: Village's own energy transition began; 2010: selected as Ministry of Environment 'Green Start Model Homeland Village'
- 11 units of 3 kW solar PV, biodiesel, community farm — comprehensive approach
- Reasons for Failure: ① Departure of key person (former chair Kim Jeong-heum) after election to county council ② Lack of shared understanding among residents on necessity of energy independence ③ Conflict over profit distribution within village community ④ No follow-up management after government support ended
- Current status: effectively ceased. Equipment aging, information signs abandoned.
6.2 Anyang-Gunpo-Uiwang Citizens' Solar Power Social Cooperative
- Founded October 2013
- Only one plant, 25 kW
- For the first three years, paid staff salaries from chairperson's donations → unable to sustain, ceased full-time operations
- Failed to expand facilities → failed to achieve economies of scale → vicious cycle of unsustainability
6.3 Gyeongnam Solar Power Cooperative
- Founded February 2013; had one full-time staff member until early 2016 → left, position vacant
- End of 2023: 262 members (moderate increase from founding), plant capacity 187 kW
- Compared to Ansan (founded same year): Ansan is 23 times larger (4,371.64 kW vs. 187 kW)
- Self-analysis: "Established quickly but slow growth in members and plants" — typical case
6.4 Ghost Cooperative Problem
- End of 2016: 22 out of 110 registered (20%) 'unknown'
- Additionally, among those with identified types, many local government officials responded 'seems no activity currently'
- Still, the actual status of cooperatives not affiliated with the union among total registered energy cooperatives remains unknown.
7. Comprehensive Time Series
| Indicator | End of 2016 | End of 2023 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union member cooperatives | 30 | 57 | 72 | 82 |
| Members | 6,583 | 18,539 | ~23,100 | — |
| Number of plants | 60 | 267 | — | — |
| Installed capacity | 3.67 MW | 23.78 MW | 20.2 MW (Gyeonggi only) | 40 MW target (Gyeonggi) |
| Dividend rate range | 2–7% | 4–7% | — | — |
| Ansan Citizens' Solar capacity | 349.68 kW | 4,371.64 kW | 6,576.74 kW | — |
8. Implications and Limitations
8.1 Drivers of Growth
- Local government cooperation is decisive: Gyeonggi's overwhelming share (57% nationally) is the product of the Gyeonggi RE100 policy and public land provision.
- Business diversification is key to survival: Pure generation alone is unstable — Ansan's construction parallel and Seoul's mini-solar installation are representative examples.
- Presence of full-time staff directly linked to growth: Cooperatives with employees show higher growth rates in members and plants (ECPI 2016).
- Dependence on SMP/REC policy: Changes in government energy policy directly hit profitability. Institutional stability (legislative guarantee) is the top demand.
8.2 Structural Limitations
- Difficulty securing sites: Public building rooftops and idle land are limited, and there is a competitive disadvantage against large corporations.
- Institutional discrimination: Unlike individual law cooperatives (agricultural cooperatives, fisheries cooperatives), basic law cooperatives do not receive tax exemption on dividends and cannot obtain equipment-secured loans.
- Failure to achieve economies of scale: Small cooperatives under 200 kW cannot even afford full-time employees — a vicious cycle.
- Downward pressure on SMP: Expansion of thermal/nuclear plants plus government output control policies worsen the economics of small-scale renewables.
8.3 Points of Comparison with Sunshine Income Village
- Sunshine Income Village is state-led (top-down); civilian energy cooperatives are citizen-voluntary (bottom-up).
- What the Ansan model proved: For sustainability beyond 10 years, a complex structure of generation revenue and ancillary business is necessary.
- What Imsil Junggeum Village warned: Installing equipment and leaving leads to failure. Resident education and voluntary governance are essential.
- The 10-year experience of civilian energy cooperatives is a 'living textbook' directly applicable to the design of Sunshine Income Village policy.
Sources
- Energy and Climate Policy Institute (ECPI), "Status and Challenges of Korea's Energy Cooperatives in 2016" (October 31, 2017)
- Citizen Power Multi-type Cooperative Union, Member Cooperative Status Table (as of December 31, 2023)
- Gyeonggi Citizen Power Cooperative Council, 2025 General Meeting Materials (March 27, 2025)
- Citizen Power Multi-type Cooperative Union, 4th Regular General Meeting Materials (March 26, 2025)
- The Hankyoreh, "Ansan Solar Power Cooperative Grows 12-Fold in 13 Years" (October 13, 2025)
- Maeil Business Newspaper, "Better Than Bank Interest... 5-Year Average Dividend 6.4%" (March 22, 2023)
- Hankyung Magazine, "A 10-Year Record of Success Made by Citizens" (March 30, 2023)
- LifeIn, "The Power of Solidarity and Cooperation, the Citizen Power Multi-type Cooperative Union" (2024)
- Redian, "Energy Cooperatives: Very Difficult, Nevertheless"
- BizHankuk, "500 Sunshine Income Villages to Be Created ... Imsil Junggeum Village as a Cautionary Tale" (August 29, 2025)
- Gyeongnam Solar Power Cooperative Blog (suncoop.tistory.com), Cooperative Status and Analysis Series
- Ansan Citizens' Solar Power Cooperative Official Website (ansansolar.kr)
- Suwon Citizens' Solar Power Social Cooperative Official Website (swsolarcoop.kr)
- Incheon Solar Power Cooperative Disclosure Data
This data serves as foundational material for Cyber-Lenin's Alternative Economic Construction series (alt-economy), episodes 4–5 (Energy Democracy and the Politics of Transition).