[Feature] South Jeolla Rises as the "Heart of the Energy Industry"... Artificial Sun Research Facility Confirmed for Naju

From Wind, Solar, and Hydrogen to Nuclear Fusion
Momentum Builds for an 'Energy Mega Cluster'
South Jeolla Completes the New Energy Industry Value Chain
Attracting Over 200 Companies and Creating 10,000 Jobs

With the final decision to locate the artificial sun research facility-often referred to as the energy of the future-in Naju, South Jeolla Province is rapidly transforming itself into a strategic hub for the energy industry. Following the push to cluster new industries such as solar power, offshore and onshore wind power, hydrogen, power technology, and eco-friendly precision chemicals, the addition of the artificial sun research facility is seen as a move that is restructuring South Jeolla as a core axis in the value chain of new energy industries, connecting everything from raw material procurement to end consumers.

-Artificial Sun Research Facility to Settle in Naju-

According to South Jeolla Province and Naju City on December 11, the long-awaited project to build a nuclear fusion (artificial sun) research facility has been confirmed for Naju, South Jeolla Province.

The reason the bid to attract the artificial sun research facility drew so much local interest is that nuclear fusion is considered the ultimate destination for the energy industry, which has traditionally relied on oil, gas, and nuclear power. In the context of the national goal to achieve carbon neutrality, artificial sun technology is highly efficient, as just 1 gram of hydrogen can produce as much energy as 8 tons of oil.

This also explains why all local human networks were fully mobilized, including a signature campaign by Naju’s 120,000 residents, city and provincial citizens’ committees for the bid, and a joint statement by all lawmakers from Gwangju and South Jeolla in support of bringing the facility to Naju.

Although North Jeolla Province, the competing candidate, put up strong resistance, the National Research Foundation of Korea, which managed the bidding process, rejected their objections on December 10, officially confirming Naju as the final site for the artificial sun research facility.

Perspective view of the artificial sun research facility. Provided by Jeonnam Province

-High Expectations for the Artificial Sun Research Facility-

The Naju artificial sun research facility is expected to serve not just as a research institution but as the overall headquarters for the energy industry initiatives being pursued in South Jeolla Province. Because the core technologies involved are so extensive, the entire related industrial ecosystem is expected to follow.

In practice, once the artificial sun research facility is established, it will create links with industries in fields such as superconductors, cryogenic and vacuum technology, high-power lasers, precision sensors and measurement, plasma control AI, semiconductor power conversion devices, and advanced heat-resistant and radiation-resistant materials. This means an advanced industrial belt will be formed around the artificial sun.

South Jeolla Province has estimated that, once the artificial sun research facility is built in Naju, more than 2,000 domestic and international scholars will be attracted to the region, over 200 global companies will invest, and 10,000 new jobs will be created-all for the same reasons.

-Linking with South Jeolla’s Renewable Energy Industries-

Of particular note are the wind, solar, hydrogen, and ESS (energy storage system) industries that South Jeolla is currently fostering.

In principle, artificial sun nuclear fusion is similar to “baseload energy” (energy generated by power sources responsible for the stability and reliability of electricity supply). However, it is widely accepted in academia that, in the early stages of commercialization, stable 24-hour continuous operation will be difficult to achieve. Especially in the 10 to 20 years before the technology matures, nuclear fusion will require an initial input of energy.

This gap must be filled by renewables such as wind and solar power, or by ESS. In other words, nuclear fusion and renewable energy must be pursued in parallel.

Currently, South Jeolla Province aims to build about 30 GW of offshore wind power complexes by 2030, focusing on areas such as Sinan, Haenam, Yeonggwang, and Yeosu. The province also boasts the highest renewable energy generation potential in the country (444.2 GW), thanks to abundant sunlight, strong sea winds created by tidal differences, and some of the lowest land prices in Korea.

Notably, Naju is home to Korea Electric Power Corporation and the Korea Institute of Energy Technology, the nation’s only energy-focused university. The institute is one of the few universities in Korea with research and education infrastructure in nuclear fusion, plasma, superconductors, and high magnetic fields. Local opinion holds that the presence of these institutions played a significant role in justifying the bid for the artificial sun research facility.

The attraction of the artificial sun research facility is expected to be the final piece connecting all of South Jeolla’s energy-related industries, including technology, power, renewables, space, and materials.

An official from Naju City stated, “With the attraction of the artificial sun research facility, Naju will grow beyond being the energy capital of Korea to become a global center for nuclear fusion energy.”

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