Kwangguk Na of Jeonnam Provincial Assembly: "Let's Transform the Renewable Energy Exhibition Center into a Multi-Purpose Complex"

Built with 6.4 Billion Won, Left Neglected for 15 Years
Aging Facilities Raise Safety Concerns as Visitor Numbers Plummet
"Must Be Reborn as the Center of Energy Culture"

There has been a call to transform the "Renewable Energy Promotion Exhibition Center," a key energy promotion facility in Jeonnam, into a family-friendly, multi-purpose complex space that residents can truly experience.

Kwangguk Na, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly (Democratic Party of Korea, Muan 2), stated during a "five-minute free speech" at the plenary session held on the 23rd, "The Renewable Energy Promotion Exhibition Center should be reborn as a lifestyle-oriented, multi-cultural space where residents can enjoy and experience together."

Kwangguk Na, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member

The Jeonnam Renewable Energy Promotion Exhibition Center was built in 2010 on a 1,800-pyeong site near Jungang Hill in Naman New Town, with an investment of 6.4 billion won from national and provincial funds. Although it is equipped with various exhibits, including wind and solar power generation models, the facility has not received any reinvestment for 15 years, resulting in aging infrastructure and a significant decline in visitors.

While Jeonnam is emerging as a hub of the energy industry by leveraging its abundant renewable energy resources to attract RE100 industrial complexes and global data centers, concerns have been raised that outdated facilities and content make it difficult to capture the interest of local residents.

Safety issues have also come under scrutiny. More than 540 solar panels installed on the exterior walls of the center have been out of operation since 2022 due to malfunctions, raising concerns about safety accidents caused by fire or falling panels.

Assemblyman Na stated, "It is time to redefine the role of the exhibition center, which has lost the interest of local residents," adding, "We need to transform it from a simple exhibition space into a 'venue for energy culture in daily life' with active resident participation." He emphasized, "If we utilize the accessibility of its central location in Naman New Town to create an experiential play facility or a toy library, turning it into a multi-cultural space for families, local residents will once again be drawn to the center."

He continued, "Creating such a space is not just about improving the facility, but is also an investment in both Jeonnam's energy vision and the quality of life for its residents," adding, "Jeonnam should move beyond the energy industry and become the center of energy culture."

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