Jeonnam Province Reborn as a 'Renewable Energy Mecca'... Attracts Two New Pumped Storage Power Plants

Ministry of Industry Public Contest Selects Gurye and Gokseong Project Sites

Jeonnam Province is emerging as a hub for renewable energy.

On the 29th, Jeonnam Province announced that Gurye and Gokseong were selected as new pumped-storage power plant sites in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s public contest.

Pumped-storage power plants are the most practical solution to address the intermittency and variability issues of renewable energy.

Bird's-eye view of the pumped-storage power plant. [Photo by Jeonnam Province]

According to the 10th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is soliciting sites for new pumped-storage power plants (1.75GW, ±20%) with the goal of completion by March 2035, establishing backup facilities to respond to the variability, intermittency, and oversupply of renewable energy.

Pumped-storage power generation functions as a natural electricity storage system by pumping water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir when there is excess electricity, then releasing the water back to the lower reservoir to generate electricity when demand is high.

Since April, Gurye County and Gokseong County have been actively competing to attract new pumped-storage power plants in the Jeonnam region by submitting proposals to Korea Midland Power and Korea East-West Power as part of the Ministry’s public contest.

Jeonnam is an optimal location for renewable energy generation due to its abundant sunlight and high-quality wind, but the variability and intermittency of the grid have always been a pressing issue to resolve.

Therefore, Jeonnam Province has been working with Gurye County, Gokseong County, and power generation companies to discuss work sessions and proposal preparation guidelines, emphasizing the necessity of attracting two new pumped-storage power plants in the Jeonnam region and conducting advocacy activities.

The final selection is analyzed to be due to high compatibility with government policies aimed at mitigating the variability and intermittency of Jeonnam’s power grid, optimal site conditions, and high community acceptance.

The construction of the pumped-storage power plants will involve an investment of approximately 1.4 trillion KRW over 10 years (based on 500MW).

It is expected to bring in 980 billion KRW in funding, generate 250 billion KRW in income effects, and create about 6,850 jobs, greatly contributing to overcoming regional decline and revitalizing the local economy.

Before full-scale construction, Jeonnam Province plans to build an eco-friendly pumped-storage power plant by minimizing environmental damage and dust pollution and developing it as a representative local tourist resource.

Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeonnam Province, said, “This is a meaningful achievement accomplished by the united efforts of all 2 million Jeonnam residents,” adding, “Before full-scale construction, we will minimize environmental damage and dust pollution, and prepare plans to develop the plant as a representative local tourist attraction to ensure the pumped-storage power plant becomes a facility loved by the residents.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.