"Goodbye Honam Power Plant" Moon Administration Completes Phase-Out of 10 Coal Plants... "Minimizing Job Losses"

Honam Thermal Power Plant Units 1 and 2 to Cease Operation at Midnight on the 31st

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] With the shutdown of Honam Thermal Power Plant, the oldest coal-fired power plant in Korea, after 48 years of operation, the Moon Jae-in administration's national agenda set in August 2017 to close 10 aging coal power plants has been completed. The government plans to focus its efforts on minimizing job losses and regional economic shocks caused by the 'coal phase-out.'

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on the 28th, the retirement ceremony for Units 1 and 2 of Honam Thermal Power Plant, which will cease operation at midnight on the 31st, was held at the Honam Thermal Power Headquarters in Yeosu on the same day.

Honam Thermal Power Plant was completed in 1973 and has reliably supplied electricity to the Yeosu industrial complex and local communities for 48 years. Due to the government's coal phase-out policy aimed at reducing carbon and fine dust emissions and the growing demand for clean energy transition, the plant's closure was decided. On the site of Honam Thermal Power Plant, a state-of-the-art liquefied natural gas (LNG) combined cycle power plant and a fuel cell power plant will be constructed, transforming the area into an eco-friendly power generation complex.

Of the 320 personnel at Honam Thermal Power Plant, 290 will be reassigned to other coal-fired and LNG power plants.

Moon Seung-wook, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, stated, "We expect Honam Thermal Power to transform into an eco-friendly power complex and continue contributing to the regional economy and national power supply. Just as most personnel have been reassigned through close consultations between labor and management, the government will also strive to minimize job issues during the coal power reduction process."

According to the government, there are currently about 15,000 employees at coal power plants and their partner companies. Among the 1,268 personnel from the eight previously closed coal power plants, 95% (1,207 people) have been reassigned to other coal power plants, LNG combined cycle plants, and nuclear power plants. However, as the government plans to reduce coal, LNG, and nuclear power generation altogether, concerns about job losses are being raised.

The government plans to reassign coal power plant personnel as much as possible to low-carbon and zero-carbon alternative power plants, transmission and distribution, and maintenance sectors, and will operate a task force (TF) in the first half of 2022 to develop education and certification programs.

At least one year before the coal power plant closure, a transition TF will be formed among local governments, employment agencies, power companies, and partner companies to support the transition to local-based jobs.

Furthermore, to prevent regional economic shocks, the government plans to promote the designation of 'Just Transition Special Zones' under the Carbon Neutrality Basic Act.

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