Resident Opposition to Waste and Bio Power Reduction Leads to Contraction of SRF Power Plants

Energy Recycling and Waste Disposal Both Possible
But Domestic Sector Shrinks Due to Resident Opposition and Government's Tepid Response

The combined heat and power plant using Solid Refuse Fuel (SRF) in Naju, Jeollanam-do. (Photo by Korea District Heating Corporation)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The facilities of solid refuse fuel (SRF) power plants are not being properly utilized due to the reduction of new energy facilities such as waste and biomass and opposition from residents. On top of this, heavy rains have caused an influx of waste, exacerbating the problem.

According to local governments, since 2017, more than 60 SRF power generation projects have been approved nationwide, but construction on about 10 sites has been halted due to local government disapproval. The construction of SRF combined heat and power plants has faced setbacks due to resident opposition in places like Yangju-si, Gyeonggi Province, and Wonju-si, Gangwon Province.

Meanwhile, the average daily domestic waste generation increased by 13% over four years, from 393,116 tons in 2013 to 446,102 tons in 2018. While power generation facilities remain stagnant, the increase in waste means the garbage problem is worsening.

SRF power plants process combustible waste such as waste vinyl and waste plastic into small rod-shaped solid fuel pellets, which are then burned to recycle energy sources like electricity or heat. This is a resource circulation facility.

When petroleum byproducts like plastic are buried in the ground, they can destroy soil, but SRF recycles these materials. It has the characteristic of simultaneously handling waste treatment and energy recovery.

Thanks to this, SRF power generation is actively promoted in Europe and the United States, but it is facing difficulties domestically. In Korea, government policies and resident opposition have prevented the proper utilization of its benefits.

The government is planning policies to reduce the Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) weighting for 'new energy' sources such as waste and biomass. Moreover, since October last year, SRF has been excluded from new and renewable energy categories, reducing government incentives. Some environmental groups have raised concerns about potential environmental pollution from SRF power generation, and the government has been lukewarm in persuading residents.

Experts say it is necessary to increase the utilization of SRF power plants not only for energy use but also for waste management. Professor Lee Nam-hoon of the Department of Environmental Engineering at Anyang University stated, "SRF has been virtually excluded from the new and renewable energy market, causing demand to drop significantly. Deregulation is needed to expand demand and help reduce waste."

Some argue that solar and wind power also have intermittency issues (increased supply instability due to weather), equipment failures, and the potential for increased reliance on thermal power generation, and therefore SRF should be appropriately mixed with renewable energy sources.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.