Incheon City Offers Generous Incentives for Metropolitan Incineration Plant Sites... Up to 50 Billion Won Invested in Resident Convenience Facilities

by Park Haesook

Published 25 Oct.2023 14:36(KST)

Incheon City announced on the 25th that it will provide unprecedented incentives for the area where a new metropolitan incineration plant (Resource Circulation Center) will be established.

The city plans to invest approximately 30 to 50 billion KRW, equivalent to 20% of the construction cost, in the Resource Circulation Center location to create cultural and sports facilities, parks, and other amenities desired by residents, thereby addressing long-standing local issues and creating jobs for residents. Additionally, it will offer legally supported incentives such as supplying electricity and heating to nearby residents by utilizing the thermal energy generated during incineration.

Furthermore, the city plans to provide an annual resident support fund ranging from 1.7 to 4.3 billion KRW and up to 10 billion KRW in delivery cooperation fees to improve the local environment and promote diverse resident welfare. Beyond financial support, the city will also identify and establish facilities desired by residents, such as large shopping malls, hospitals, public offices, franchise cafes, and amusement parks.

In a survey conducted last year with 1,000 Incheon citizens aged 18 and over, 55% responded that they would accept an incineration plant near their residence if it included the benefit facilities they truly wanted. Based on this, the city plans to conduct more detailed public opinion surveys.

Incheon currently operates two Resource Circulation Centers in Songdo and Cheongna, but due to insufficient incineration capacity, three new centers need to be built. An Incheon city official stated, "We plan to hold public opinion surveys and meetings to install facilities that suit local conditions and meet the actual needs of residents."