Jindo-gun, Renewable Energy Project "Requires Prompt Administrative Action"

Published 16 Nov.2023 14:46(KST)

Updated 16 Nov.2023 15:08(KST)

open/close

Policies Highlighting Jindo-gun's Unique Characteristics Needed... "Proactive Administration Must Be Promoted in the 8th Elected Term"

Currently, the global community faces the major challenge of achieving the so-called ‘RE100,’ an era of 100% renewable energy.

In South Korea, as renewable energy projects emerge as future growth engines, Jindo-gun in Jeollanam-do is gaining attention as one of the optimal locations.

In this regard, Jindo-gun finalized the ‘Jindo Vision 2040 Comprehensive Plan’ last year, setting a goal to increase the future population to around 50,000 by leveraging renewable energy projects as a stepping stone.

On the 25th of last month, (center) Kim Hee-su, the mayor of Jindo County, is taking a commemorative photo with offshore wind power developers. [Photo provided by Jindo County]

The core of the plan is the creation of a large-scale offshore wind farm complex. A rosy blueprint was presented to gradually attract private investment totaling 16 trillion won to Jindo Port and other areas by 2040.

If the currently underway wind and solar power projects are completed as planned, it is expected to secure more than 100 billion won annually in local taxes.

In this regard, since wind power projects take about 10 years until construction completion and solar power about 5 years of ownership, administrative efforts must be concentrated.

However, during the past 7th local government term, trial and error led to criticism. Overheated competition among project operators divided the local community, and Jindo-gun’s haphazard personnel controversies became subjects of audits by higher authorities.

Ultimately, with the launch of the 8th local government term, the projects were put under scrutiny. At that time, the county governor’s transition committee pointed out the background and problems of the sudden signing of the offshore wind MOA agreement just before the local elections.

Subsequently, Jindo-gun, which began system reorganization, formed an offshore wind power developer council at the end of June and started seeking ways for project operators and the local community to coexist.

In this regard, benchmarking excellent cases such as Shinan-gun’s Sunlight Pension and promoting policies that highlight Jindo-gun’s unique characteristics are necessary.

A renewable energy expert emphasized, “Even if these projects are rushed now, they will only bear fruit in the 9th local government term,” adding, “Learning from past mistakes, the 8th local government term needs to demonstrate progress through proactive administration.”