[2020 National Audit] Smart Green Industrial Complex to Gain Momentum with Expansion of Rooftop Solar Power

Potential of rooftop solar power in industrial complexes about 3GW, equivalent to three large nuclear power plants (1GW each)

Solar panels installed on the factory roof of a tenant company in the Gimhae Golden Route Industrial Complex. Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] There have been claims that support is needed for the installation of rooftop solar panels for tenant companies along with the transition to Smart Green Industrial Complexes in the 64 industrial complexes managed by the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation (KICOX).

On the 13th, Kim Seonghwan, a member of the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, stated during the government audit that KICOX needs to actively encourage and support the installation of rooftop solar panels by tenant companies within industrial complexes as a distributed power source for energy self-sufficiency and the transition to Smart Green Industrial Complexes.

KICOX manages 64 industrial complexes on consignment, including national industrial complexes, out of a total of 1,223 industrial complexes nationwide. The industrial complexes under KICOX’s management account for 52.4% (53,914 companies) of the total number of companies, 50.6% (502 trillion KRW) of production, 44.2% (156.9 billion USD) of exports, and 46.5% (1,033,000 employees) of employment compared to all industrial complexes nationwide, highlighting the importance of KICOX’s role.

Earlier in September, President Moon Jae-in personally visited the Changwon National Industrial Complex and announced the Smart Green Industrial Complex implementation strategy. Accordingly, the existing seven smart industrial complexes (Incheon Namdong, Gwangju Advanced, Jeonnam Yeosu, Gyeongbuk Gumi, Daegu Seongseo, Gyeongnam Changwon, Gyeonggi Banwol Sihwa) were transitioned to Smart Green Industrial Complexes. In particular, plans to promote RE100 (Renewable Energy 100) projects for each industrial complex were also mentioned.

Assemblyman Kim Seonghwan explained the advantages of rooftop solar panels, saying, “In the case of rooftop solar panels, utilizing idle spaces such as factory roofs to distribute renewable energy can lead to increased income for factories and job creation effects.” He added, “KICOX has stated that if rooftop solar panels are installed on the total manufacturing factory area of 40,074,782㎡, the potential solar power generation capacity is estimated at 3,036 MW, which is equivalent to three large nuclear power plants (1 GW each).”

Kim emphasized, “According to a recent demand survey conducted by KICOX targeting companies, 44 companies applied for an installation capacity of 12,762 kW.” He reiterated, “KICOX has stated that if rooftop solar panels are installed on the total manufacturing factory area of 40,074,782㎡, the potential solar power generation capacity is estimated at 3,036 MW, which is equivalent to three large nuclear power plants (1 GW each).”

He continued, “Since the potential for rooftop solar panels on factory roofs is large and demand is sufficient, if KICOX actively promotes the project by holding business briefings for companies, the number of solar panel installation applications is expected to increase further.” He added, “As local governments are actively preparing RE100 industrial complexes, KICOX should also strive to promote RE100 industrial complexes.”

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