Gyeongnam's Renewable Energy Distribution Shines... 20% Increase from Previous Year

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] Gyeongnam Province announced on the 21st that the capacity of renewable energy facilities in the province increased by 20.2% compared to the previous year, reaching 1,813 MW as of the end of 2020.

According to the Korea Energy Agency's "2020 Renewable Energy Supply Statistics," the supply volume by power source in Gyeongnam Province was led by solar power, accounting for 71% of the total renewable energy with 1,282 MW, followed by bioenergy at 327 MW, and others (such as wind power) at 205 MW.

The proportion of renewable energy generation compared to the province's total electricity consumption was 6.79%, exceeding the initial target of 6.2%, indicating that the renewable energy supply projects are being smoothly implemented.

Gyeongnam Province will not be satisfied with this result and will implement various policies to promote renewable energy supply necessary for the government's 2030 NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution) upward revision and the 2050 carbon neutrality implementation.

First, through six projects including the resident participation and profit-sharing type village community power plant project that enhances resident acceptance, the province plans to supply renewable energy to 6,312 facilities within the province.

Specifically, renewable energy power generation facilities suitable for each site will be installed in 20 village community power plants, 3,340 locations including houses and commercial buildings, 57 public institutions, 2,500 houses, 370 apartment units, and 25 facilities such as factories and livestock barns.

Among these, the village community power plant project, which is a Gyeongnam Province initiative, involves local residents as project operators installing solar power generation facilities on idle spaces such as village halls, warehouse roofs, and parking lots.

The electricity generation revenue, excluding installation and maintenance costs, is used as village communal expenses for events like senior citizen parties and operation costs of communal facilities, which has received high resident support.

In addition, the province supports achieving the ‘RE100’ campaign, where companies use 100% renewable energy for their electricity consumption, and promotes the establishment of energy self-sufficiency infrastructure to transition to smart green industrial complexes.

Green energy infrastructure such as fuel cells totaling 1.8 MW, solar power, energy storage systems (ESS), V2G, and water electrolysis facilities will be installed in Changwon National Industrial Complex and Dongjeon General Industrial Complex. The Green Energy Center, which began construction in December last year, and the integrated energy management system for efficient operation of green energy will be completed within this year.

Furthermore, energy management and RE100 implementation consulting will be provided to companies in the province wishing to participate in RE100.

Kim Young-sam, Director of the Industrial Innovation Bureau of the province, said, “Gyeongnam Province’s role in achieving the government’s 2030 NDC and 2050 carbon neutrality has grown,” and added, “We will do our best to play a leading role in achieving 2050 carbon neutrality, including supporting RE100 companies to secure the competitiveness of export companies in the province.”

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