Logistics Center at SK Directly Managed Gas Station... How Far Will Gas Stations Transform?

SK Energy's directly operated gas stations are transforming into integrated energy platforms.

On the 13th, SK Energy announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding to promote the 'SK Eco-friendly Integrated Station Structural Advancement Project' with Clean Energy REIT, a real estate investment company under SK REITs. Clean Energy REIT was established to manage 116 SK directly operated gas station sites acquired by SK REITs in 2021, with SK REITs holding 100% of the shares.

SK Sihwa Industrial Gas Station Complex Energy Platform Conceptual Diagram

They selected the SK Siwha Industrial Gas Station in Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do as the first development gas station. The site is a 2,074㎡ rectangular area, located along a six-lane road. Thanks to its location surrounded by industrial and commercial facilities, it attracts a large number of both passenger cars and freight vehicles.

First, the existing canopy-style gas station will be demolished, and a three-story building for an urban logistics facility capable of same-day delivery will be constructed, transforming it into an indoor gas station. They aim to start construction within the year after obtaining the necessary permits.

SK Energy signed a business agreement with Naver in December last year to launch 'The Better Delivery,' a service that consolidates products from Naver Smart Store sellers based on local regions. They are investing in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud development to innovate logistics technologies such as automation of urban logistics centers, and plan to implement these at the gas stations.

Additionally, they plan to install distributed power generation facilities such as fuel cells and solar panels on the rooftops of gas station buildings to produce electricity and provide electric vehicle charging services, introducing a distributed generation model in line with related regulatory improvements.

SK Energy and Clean Energy REIT were selected in April as the 'Private Operator for Structural Advancement Projects' by the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation, securing administrative momentum to promote the project. SK REITs plans to use this project as an opportunity to increase the asset value of the SK gas station sites it currently owns and develop business models equipped with green energy supply functions.

Jang Ho-jun, head of the Solutions and Platform Promotion Team at SK Energy, said, "The integrated development of the SK Siwha Industrial Gas Station is the first gas station development project undertaken with SK REITs, which has real estate development capabilities. We will do our best to strengthen the competitiveness of the petroleum marketing business while promoting carbon reduction and achieving results in future growth businesses."

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