Civic Group: "Allowing KEPCO to Enter Renewable Energy Generation Business Is a Privilege"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] Civic groups in the energy and environmental sectors, including Climate Solution, Energy Transition Forum, Energy Sharing and Peace, the National Federation of Citizens' Power Cooperatives, and the Korea Federation for Environmental Movements, have once again demanded the withdrawal of Korea Electric Power Corporation's (KEPCO) plan to enter the renewable energy power generation business.

On the 16th, these organizations held a press conference stating, "Allowing KEPCO to enter the renewable energy sector would grant preferential treatment to the domestic renewable energy market, valued at 51 trillion won by 2030," and pointed out that "this is a shortcut to destroying the renewable energy ecosystem that is just beginning through the Green New Deal and Carbon Neutrality 2050."

The main reason for opposing KEPCO's entry into renewable energy is that, as KEPCO virtually monopolizes the domestic electricity market, it would be difficult for private businesses to compete if KEPCO enters the power generation business. They also expressed concerns about ▲ KEPCO's status as the de facto monopoly operator in the domestic electricity market potentially undermining network neutrality and fair competition ▲ insufficient capabilities in renewable energy projects ▲ deterioration of financial soundness due to increased debt from KEPCO.

A representative of the civic groups said, "For KEPCO's entry into renewable energy power generation to gain consensus among stakeholders, it is essential to fundamentally separate the transmission and power generation sectors to ensure network neutrality is maintained." They added, "If such preemptive measures are not taken, KEPCO's participation in renewable energy power generation must be immediately withdrawn."

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