Chungnam Receives Resident Proposals for Gradual Closure Measures of Coal-Fired Power Plants

[Asia Economy (Hongseong) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Chungnam Province is launching a call for resident proposals to prepare countermeasures for the phased closure of coal-fired power plants.

According to the province on the 2nd, a total of 29 coal-fired power plants are currently operating in Boryeong, Dangjin, Seocheon, Taean, and other areas in Chungnam. Considering that there are 58 coal-fired power plants nationwide, half of them are concentrated in Chungnam.

However, 14 coal-fired power plants in the region are scheduled to be closed by 2034 in accordance with the government's carbon neutrality policy. The Boryeong Power Plants Units 1 and 2 have already ceased operations last year.

The problem is that when the coal-fired power plants stop operating, the economic impact on workers employed at the plants and local residents is also significant.

In this regard, the province plans to collect proposals from residents ahead of the phased closure of coal-fired power plants to prepare countermeasures. Anyone in the community can submit proposals covering areas such as employment succession, reemployment training, job placement, support funds for career changes, corporate attraction, and restoration of power generation facilities and sites.

After receiving proposals, the province will conduct a first evaluation next month, followed by a second review by the Fund Deliberation Committee, and select projects for the next year. Approximately 1.5 billion KRW has been secured for the projects to be implemented next year.

In particular, the province plans to establish a Just Transition Fund of 10 billion KRW by 2025 to minimize social and economic damages and support local residents during the decarbonization and energy transition process following the closure of coal-fired power plants.

A provincial official stated, “We will focus our administrative capabilities on discovering and implementing effective projects that residents can feel and benefit from by collecting their opinions.”

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