Gokseong-gun Signs Agreement to Attract Pumped Storage Power Plant

Published 29 Aug.2023 13:56(KST)

Building an Attractive City That Draws Youth Back Through Tourism Integration

Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Lee Sang-cheol) announced on the 28th that it signed a business agreement for 'Joint Cooperation to Attract New Pumped Storage Power Plant Projects' with the Gokseong County Council and Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd. at the Gokseong County Office.

The signing ceremony was held in accordance with the 10th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand, attended by key officials including Gokseong-gun Governor Lee Sang-cheol, Gokseong County Council Chairman Yoon Young-gyu, and Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd. President Kim Young-moon.

[Photo by Gokseong-gun]

Through this agreement, a cooperative relationship was established to attract the Gokseong Pumped Storage Power Plant (500㎽), promising to play an important role in stabilizing power supply and promoting renewable energy.

Pumped storage power generation produces electricity by releasing water to the lower reservoir during peak electricity demand hours and pumping water back to the upper reservoir when demand is low.

This method is environmentally friendly, with minimal issues such as water pollution or noise, and it is easy to adjust power output, making it an effective way to respond to the variability of renewable energy output.

Gokseong-gun prioritized residents' acceptance by gathering opinions from residents in submerged areas through public briefings.

Additionally, they comprehensively reviewed the economic, environmental, and social effects of pumped storage power plant construction by visiting existing plants in Sancheong and Yecheon. Subsequently, after holding a final briefing with relevant department heads, they proceeded with the business agreement to attract the pumped storage power project.

The construction of the pumped storage power plant is a project worth approximately 1 trillion won, expected to bring direct benefits such as regional development funds and tax revenue.

Indirect benefits such as employment inducement and regional economic stimulation are also anticipated to be significant.

Gokseong-gun plans to link pumped storage power generation with the tourism belt industry to brand the Seomjin River area as a healing travel destination and revitalize stay-type tourism, aiming to build a vibrant and attractive city where young people return. After the business agreement, they submitted an application to Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd. to attract the pumped storage power plant.

Governor Lee Sang-cheol of Gokseong-gun stated, “The new pumped storage power project is an important initiative to expand renewable energy supply and address the crisis of local extinction. The county, county council, and Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd. will establish an all-around cooperative relationship to ensure the success of the project and do our best to attract the pumped storage power plant.”