President Moon Observes Korea's Largest Floating Solar Power Plant

Visit to Hapcheon Dam Floating Solar Power Site with Resident Participation... Sharing Power Generation Profits with Local Residents

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] On the 24th, President Moon Jae-in visited the Hapcheon Dam in Gyeongnam, the largest floating solar power site in Korea, to encourage local residents and on-site personnel.

Hapcheon Dam commercialized dam floating solar power for the first time in the world in 2012 after a small-scale demonstration study in 2011. At that time, the capacity was limited to about 0.5 MW, but the floating solar power plant at Hapcheon Dam, which has now started operation, has a capacity of 41 MW, making it the largest in Korea.

The Blue House emphasized that "it has transformed into a successful renewable energy business model where local residents participate and share the profits from power generation."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The annual electricity production of the Hapcheon Dam floating solar power plant (41 MW) is enough to supply power to 60,000 households per year. This amount exceeds the household electricity consumption of the 43,000 residents of Hapcheon County. The Blue House explained, "By replacing coal-fired power generation, it is an environmentally significant facility that can reduce 30 tons of fine dust and 26,000 tons of greenhouse gases annually."

About 1,400 residents from 20 villages near the dam in Bongsan-myeon have formed a village community and invested approximately 3.1 billion KRW in the project, and they will share a portion of the annual power generation profits going forward.

President Moon evaluated it as a successful case of a democratic renewable energy business model and emphasized the need for further expansion of resident-participatory renewable energy business models. The floating solar panels on the dam’s surface are installed in the shape of the plum blossom, the flower symbol of Hapcheon County, harmonizing well with the surrounding landscape. It is expected to become a tourist attraction linked with nearby ecological trails and Hapcheon’s famous site, Haeinsa Temple.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, after the on-site inspection, President Moon moved to the Hapcheon Dam Water Culture Center (located in Daebyeong-myeon, Hapcheon County) and held a field meeting with local residents, floating solar power experts, and construction officials.

In his opening remarks at the meeting, President Moon expressed gratitude, stating that the determination and participation of the local community were the most important foundation for the success of the Hapcheon Dam floating solar power project. He also evaluated floating solar power as one of the most notable eco-friendly energy technologies.

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