Chungnam Province Taean Coal Power Plant Closure Response Task Force Activated

The dedicated response team for the closure of the Taean coal-fired power plant in Chungnam has begun preparing countermeasures.

The Taean Coal-Fired Power Plant Closure Response Task Force (TF) held its first meeting on the 27th to discuss support measures following the plant's closure.

The task force plans to establish support systems by sector, including marine leisure industry, industrial complexes, returning fishermen, and jobs, and to develop a plan to focus support on the closure area from the early stages before a regional economic crisis occurs.

Since the special law to support areas affected by coal-fired power plant closures failed to pass the standing committee in the 21st National Assembly, the task force intends to concentrate administrative efforts on devising self-help measures to overcome the regional economic crisis.

Jeon Hyung-sik, Deputy Governor for Political Affairs, stated, "The power generation industry holds a significant share in the Taean County regional economy, so the closure of the power plant will have a large ripple effect not only on jobs but also on population, social, and economic aspects. Through the operation of the task force, the province and municipalities will focus on areas where they can prepare effectively."

Meanwhile, according to the government's Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand, 14 coal-fired power plants in the province are scheduled to be phased out by 2036.

Of the six coal-fired power plants located in Taean County, five have been confirmed for relocation to other regions, but alternative industries have not yet been determined. In particular, since the power generation industry accounts for a large portion of the Taean County regional economy, population decline, economic contraction, and employment reduction are inevitable following the plant closures.

According to the 2021 study commissioned by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy titled "Utilization Plan for Decommissioned Coal Power Plants for a Just Energy Transition," Taean County is predicted to suffer an economic loss of 11 trillion 900 billion won due to the power plant closures.

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