Songpa-gu Realizes Low-Carbon Energy Welfare through 'Songpa Nanum Power Plant'

Last year, 1,804 MWh of electricity was produced, reducing CO₂ by 856 tons, with the effect of planting 103,162 saplings... Support for vulnerable groups with high-efficiency appliances and LED lighting replacement using electricity sales revenue

Songpa Nanum Power Plant No. 5 installed at Sincheon Rainwater Pump Station

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) is drawing attention by realizing a new form of energy welfare that combines environment and welfare through the operation of the ‘Songpa Nanum Power Plant.’

Since 2009, the district has been operating the ‘Songpa Nanum Power Plant,’ producing electricity through solar power generation and utilizing the operating profits to support vulnerable groups.

In collaboration with the non-profit corporation Energy Nanum and Peace, the first plant was established in Goheung, Jeollanam-do, the second in Uiseong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and the third and fourth at the Songpa-gu Resource Circulation Park. Since 2020, the district has independently planned and installed the fifth plant at the Songpa-gu Sincheon Rainwater Pump Station and is operating it.

Notably, it is significant that this project moves away from the traditional government-led energy welfare business and is achieved through joint cooperation among local governments, NGOs, companies, and residents.

According to the district, from 2009 to 2021, the cumulative electricity sales amount of the Songpa Nanum Power Plant reached approximately 11.1 billion KRW. The electricity produced last year amounted to 1,804 MWh, enough to supply 6,329 households for one year, and the profit reached 910 million KRW. This annual performance is equivalent to reducing 856 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and has the same effect as planting 103,162 young trees.

Over the past 13 years, the district has used the profits from the Songpa Nanum Power Plant to create an energy poverty support fund (Climate Change Fund), supporting 5,761 low-income households including basic livelihood security recipients and near-poverty groups, as well as 197 welfare facilities within the district. This support has enabled the replacement of old home appliances with high-efficiency products and the payment of overdue public utility bills, totaling about 1.35 billion KRW.

This year, the district plans to promote energy welfare projects worth approximately 290 million KRW, including ▲payment of overdue public utility bills for energy-vulnerable households ▲installation of fine dust protection nets at district-run daycare centers ▲installation of insulation films at senior citizen centers ▲cool roof construction to prepare for heat waves ▲replacement of eco-friendly LED lighting for vulnerable groups ▲support for replacing high-efficiency home appliances.

In particular, the eco-friendly LED lighting replacement project for vulnerable groups has seen increasing satisfaction every year, leading to an expansion in support scale. This year, the district plans to replace 1,490 old lights with high-efficiency LED lighting in 40 low-income households and 36 welfare facilities to ensure no inconvenience in daily life.

Park Seong-su, Mayor of Songpa-gu, stated, “The Songpa Nanum Power Plant is a new form of energy welfare model that simultaneously realizes low-carbon green growth and the improvement of residents’ welfare,” adding, “We will continue to pay close attention to responding to the climate crisis and reducing greenhouse gases to strive for a healthy future as ‘Songpa, a leading carbon-neutral city.’”

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