Gurye-gun Continues Efforts to Attract Pumped Storage Power Plant

Published 23 Oct.2023 09:37(KST)

1 Trillion Won-Class Pumped Storage Power Plant to Become Future Driving Force

Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do announced that it is continuing efforts to attract a new pumped-storage power plant project worth 1 trillion won.

According to Gurye-gun, on May 31, it signed a business agreement with Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd. and reviewed the optimal site in Gurye-gun. On July 17, the area of Muncheok-myeon was reviewed as the optimal site, and 24 residents’ briefings and site visits were conducted, completing explanations and tours for all village residents in Muncheok-myeon.

[Photo by Gurye-gun]

As a result, the residents of Muncheok-myeon voluntarily launched the Muncheok-myeon Pumped-Storage Power Plant Attraction Committee (110 members) on August 29, and on September 25, about 3,000 Gurye Pumped-Storage Power Plant supporters held an inauguration ceremony.

The Gurye County Council also actively supports the attraction of the pumped-storage power plant together with Gurye-gun, adopting a resolution for attraction on September 14. On October 4, Gurye-gun submitted a letter of intent reflecting the will of the residents to Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd.

A county official said, “Gurye-gun has held more briefings and site visits than any other region, resulting in very high understanding and willingness among residents to attract the pumped-storage power plant,” adding, “Many residents actively support the attraction of the pumped-storage power plant, saying that even if there is some inconvenience during the construction period, they want to leave a better environment for future generations.”

Furthermore, the official added, “The area of Jungsan-ri in Muncheok-myeon, the planned site for the lower reservoir, has a 345kV transmission line capable of carrying power generated by the pumped-storage power plant passing through it, which is very advantageous in terms of no secondary complaints related to transmission line construction in the future. Residents of Jungsan-ri, who have suffered damage due to transmission lines in the past, also express expectations that the pumped-storage power plant can be attracted thanks to this transmission line.”

Governor Kim Soon-ho said, “I deeply appreciate the many residents who care about the future of the region voluntarily forming an attraction committee and making an all-out effort to attract the pumped-storage power plant,” adding, “We will definitely attract the pumped-storage power plant so that our descendants can live prosperously.”

Governor Kim also stated, “We will fully listen to the opinions of those concerned about environmental damage and build the cleanest and most eco-friendly pumped-storage power plant in the country.”

The pumped-storage power plant is a large-scale national project worth 1 trillion won, expected to bring in about 600 billion won in local funds, create about 100 permanent jobs, and expand local tax revenue. Currently, six local governments nationwide are fiercely competing to attract pumped-storage power plants.

The pumped-storage power plant is evaluated as an essential facility to achieve the 2050 carbon neutrality goal, serving as an energy storage device capable of storing energy for a long time to overcome the variability of renewable energy such as solar and wind power.