Jeonnam Province Accelerates Establishment of Southwest Region Energy Innovation Growth Belt

Jeonnam Province is actively promoting the establishment of the "Southwest Region Energy Innovation Growth Belt," focusing on the southwestern coast. Photo shows the offshore wind power complex in Jaeun, Sinan.

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Jeonnam Province is actively promoting the establishment of the "Southwest Region Energy Innovation Growth Belt," focusing on the southwestern coast.

This initiative aims to create RE100 industrial complexes and new cities based on abundant renewable energy resources such as solar and wind power, with a core strategy of fostering regional co-prosperity by sharing development benefits with local residents.

Jeonnam possesses the highest renewable energy generation potential in the country at 444.2GW. This figure is more than double the national target for renewable energy generation capacity in 2038, which stands at 121.9GW.

While about 40% of the nation's electricity demand is concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area, leading to power shortages, Jeonnam is unable to utilize its produced renewable energy due to grid saturation.

In response, Jeonnam Province has proposed attracting energy-intensive industries to the region, which would reduce the national power grid burden and provide companies with opportunities to secure RE100 competitiveness.

The plan includes establishing RE100 industrial complexes and an AI data center cluster with a capacity of over 3GW in the southwest region, as well as constructing a global new city to accommodate around 100,000 people.

The new city is designed to provide residential and educational conditions for employees and their families working in the RE100 industrial complexes, while also serving as the nation's first model of an energy self-sufficient city.

To ensure a stable power supply, a solar power complex with a capacity of 5.4GW will also be developed.

In the Mokpo, Yeongam, and Haenam areas, port, pier, and equipment complexes will be established, and a 30GW offshore wind power complex will be developed in stages by 2035. In addition, the region will strengthen its industrial ecosystem by designating the offshore wind joint connection facility as a national backbone power grid and supporting the localization of equipment production.

Institutional foundations such as the introduction of a dedicated renewable energy tariff, tax reductions, and the establishment of public-led development frameworks will support the attraction of RE100 companies and the provision of stable power supply. The province is continuously proposing to the government and the National Assembly that these bold incentives be included in special legislation.

Jeonnam Province expects the creation of the Energy Innovation Growth Belt to attract over 100,000 new residents and expand job opportunities for youth and professionals. The province also plans to implement an "energy basic income" system based on renewable energy generation profits, creating an energy transition model that benefits all residents.

Jung Hyungu, Director of the Energy Industry Bureau of Jeonnam Province, emphasized, "The Southwest Region Energy Innovation Growth Belt is a crucial project to prepare for Jeonnam's next 100 years together with our residents. We will do our utmost to create jobs, increase the population, and share the benefits with the people, realizing a true balanced development model through renewable energy."

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