Incheon City Develops Early Closure Strategy for Yeongheung Thermal Power Plant

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City has begun preparing a strategy to realize the closure of Yeongheung Coal Power Plant Units 1 and 2 by 2030.

The city announced on the 23rd that it has started a research project to promote the closure of Yeongheung Power Plant, which is scheduled to be completed by June.

In this project, the city plans to analyze the affected parties and impacts resulting from the closure of Yeongheung Power Plant, and study support measures and regional industry transition models.

For those expected to be adversely affected, the city will conduct briefings and surveys to raise awareness in advance, prevent damage, and build social consensus.

Along with this, the city intends to supplement the rationale for the early closure of Yeongheung Power Plant.

According to the 9th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand, the government plans to fully close Yeongheung Power Plant Units 1 and 2 around 2034, the 30th year since their commissioning, to address fine dust and greenhouse gas issues, and convert to liquefied natural gas (LNG) power generation. Units 3 and 4 will be closed in 2038, and Units 5 and 6 in 2044.

Yeongheung Thermal Power Plant
Photo by Yonhap News

Following the 8th municipal administration’s pledge to advance the closure of Yeongheung Power Plant Units 1 and 2, which use coal as fuel, to 2030, the city made various efforts last year, including submitting related proposals to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Environment.

However, the recently announced 10th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand did not reflect this early closure proposal. Accordingly, the city plans to continue advocating for early closure in cooperation with citizens and environmental organizations.

An official from Incheon City stated, "This project will establish a rationale for demanding the early closure of Yeongheung Power Plant not only from the perspective of Incheon but also the metropolitan area. We will share the era’s changes such as energy and industrial transition due to the climate crisis with citizens, devise countermeasures, and expand social consensus."

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