Gwangju Seo-gu 'Korea Energy Awards' Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Commendation

Published 29 Nov.2021 13:03(KST)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shin Dong-ho] Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Seo Dae-seok) was honored as the only local government to receive the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Commendation at this year's Korea Energy Awards hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy for its contribution to improving energy efficiency.

According to Seo-gu on the 29th, the Korea Energy Awards is the largest government evaluation in the energy sector, recognizing the general public, companies, civic groups, and public institutions that have contributed to raising nationwide awareness of energy efficiency, aiming to realize a low-carbon and energy-saving economic structure.

This year, 28 government awards, 60 Ministerial Commendations in the energy efficiency improvement field, and 20 Ministerial Commendations in the renewable energy field were awarded. Among them, Gwangju Seo-gu was the only local government nationwide to receive the Ministerial Commendation in the energy efficiency field.

Seo-gu received high evaluation for being selected for the renewable energy convergence support project for three consecutive years, installing a total of 3,395 kW of solar power facilities, contributing to forming a consensus on carbon neutrality and energy self-reliance in the local community.

In addition, following the government's energy efficiency improvement policies, 1,949 outdated lighting fixtures in low-income households and social welfare facilities were replaced with LED lighting over five years.

Since 2019, the project to replace old home boilers with high-efficiency low-NOx boilers has supported about 5,800 households, improving energy efficiency in the private sector as well.

Next year, Seo-gu plans to secure 3.2 billion KRW in national and local subsidies to distribute solar power and solar heat to 512 locations and spend 500 million KRW to support vulnerable groups to climate change by replacing insulation windows and more.

Green New Deal and carbon neutrality policy projects such as electric motorcycle rental services and resident-participatory solar power plant installations will also be actively promoted.

A Seo-gu official said, “Taking this award as an opportunity, we will continue to steadily implement energy policies to realize universal energy welfare, foster new energy industries, and accelerate steps toward building a carbon-neutral energy self-reliant city by 2045.”