Gurye-gun Successfully Attracts Pumped Storage Power Plant Worth 1.4 Trillion Won

Published 29 Dec.2023 09:49(KST)

Selected as a Priority Project Operator According to the Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand

Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do announced on the 28th that it has succeeded in attracting a new pumped-storage power plant in accordance with the 10th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand.

The construction of the pumped-storage power plant is a large-scale national project worth about 1 trillion won. Not only does it have a significant ripple effect on the local economy during the construction period, but the areas surrounding the pumped-storage power plant receive various legal support benefits during both construction and operation periods. Additionally, the upper and lower reservoirs can be utilized as local tourist resources, which has led to intense enthusiasm among local governments to attract the project.

[Photo by Gurye-gun]

On December 27, the government held a priority review committee meeting to evaluate letters of intent for projects submitted by four companies across six regions, selecting Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do and Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do as priority projects under the 10th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand.

Since May 31, Gurye-gun has signed a business agreement with Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd. and has been working to increase residents' understanding and acceptance of the pumped-storage power plant by holding 24 resident briefings and site visits.

As a result of these efforts, the residents of Muncheok-myeon, the planned site for the pumped-storage power plant, formed an attraction committee themselves, and about 3,000 supporters consisting of residents and people originally from the area were recruited, drawing active support from the community.

In particular, 93.4% of Muncheok-myeon residents agreed to attract the pumped-storage power plant, and a YouTube video featuring elderly residents of Muncheok-myeon received about 360 supportive comments, becoming a hot topic.

Another important factor in the selection of the pumped-storage power plant site in Gurye-gun is the presence of a 345kV transmission line passing through the area.

Transmission lines have long faced many difficulties due to widespread public perception that they infringe on property rights and negatively affect health. However, since a transmission line capable of transmitting electricity generated by the pumped-storage power plant already passes through Gurye-gun, it is expected that the project can proceed quickly.

Kim Soon-ho, the mayor of Gurye-gun who succeeded in attracting the pumped-storage power plant, said, “All of this is thanks to the residents of Muncheok-myeon and Gurye-gun who enthusiastically supported the attraction of the pumped-storage power plant despite the inconveniences caused by construction, as well as many others who worked hard for the project.”

He also expressed his ambition to make the Muncheok-myeon area a new tourist attraction in Gurye linked with Osan, in response to the expectations of the residents who worked hard to attract the pumped-storage power plant.

The attraction of this pumped-storage power plant is expected to be an opportunity for Gurye-gun, which is facing a population cliff and aging crisis, to make a new leap forward.