Seoul City Focuses on 'Green New Deal' Solar Power Expansion in LH Public Housing... Greenhouse Gas Reduction

Solar Power Installed in 39,000 Households... Reducing Electricity Bills and Maintenance Costs
Energy Efficiency Improvements Like Insulation in Aging Homes

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government has partnered with LH Korea Land and Housing Corporation to expand the installation of mini solar power systems and promote energy efficiency improvement projects in public housing, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the 'building' sector, which accounts for 68% of Seoul's greenhouse gas emissions.

On the 12th at 11 a.m., Seoul announced that Acting Mayor Seo Jeong-hyeop and LH President Byeon Chang-heum signed a "Seoul-type Green New Deal Expansion Memorandum of Understanding" at City Hall.

According to the agreement, LH plans to focus on distributing solar power to 39,000 out of the total 50,000 public rental housing units in Seoul, achieving an annual greenhouse gas reduction effect of more than 15,000 tons. By supplying mini solar power systems with a capacity of 25,443 kW to 22,300 public rental housing units, not only will greenhouse gas reduction be achieved, but residents will also benefit from reduced electricity bills.

Along with the distribution of residential solar power, approximately 2,901 kW of solar power facilities will be installed using idle spaces such as rooftops and parking lots of apartment complexes. The electricity generated can be used for communal facilities or sold, thereby reducing management costs. In addition to solar power, a pilot project for an 'Energy Station' will be promoted, which uses heat and electricity produced by fuel cells within the complex and sells surplus power.

The city will provide all possible administrative and financial support, including subsidies for solar power installation, permits, and guidance and promotion of solar power to residents.

An energy diagnosis will be conducted on 119 aged houses and public buildings over 20 years old, and an "Energy Efficiency Improvement Project" will be promoted. The goal is to minimize energy consumption through building insulation and achieve a 20% energy self-sufficiency rate (Zero Energy Grade 5) by constructing zero-energy buildings that produce renewable energy. Initially, three purchased rental housing sites will be designated for pilot projects and gradually expanded annually.

A "Power Brokerage Project" will also be promoted to share profits with residents by managing power demand and utilizing solar power owned by LH. Intelligent power meters that collect data on each household's power production and consumption will be installed to optimize power production and consumption. Residents will participate in power demand management when the power reserve margin is low and receive monetary compensation.

Since July, Seoul and LH have been developing strategies and identifying 10 detailed cooperative projects through collaboration, and they plan to continue holding working-level meetings to promote ongoing technology and standards exchange.

Acting Mayor Seo Jeong-hyeop said, "This cooperation between LH, which manages as many as 50,000 housing units in Seoul alone, and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, responsible for citizens' lives, is expected to lead to practical changes on the ground and create various future green energy models that will spread as nationwide practice models."

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