Despite the federal government’s recent policy of restricting latest power generation permits, Jeollanam-do received conditional approval for the Yeonggwang Chilhae 1 and a couple of and Shinan Hugwang offshore wind power projects. These power generation projects were applied for by Hanwha Engineering & Construction and Jeonnam Development Corporation, respectively, and the entire power generation capability amounts to 1,343MW.
With this, Jeollanam-do has acquired an influence generation business license of a complete of 17.3 GW, adding this 1.3 GW to the prevailing 16 GW. This accounts for about 60% of the national offshore wind power generation business license capability. Jeollanam-do has the most important offshore wind power potential of 125 GW, accounting for 32% of the national offshore wind power potential (386.5 GW).
This conditional approval reflects the opinion that connection is feasible after KEPCO’s grid reinforcement in December 2031. Nevertheless, solving the grid issue is urgent to be able to obtain additional power generation business approval.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy designated a grid management substation that restricts additional connections in May, which suggests that latest power generation business permits will probably be restricted until 2031. To deal with this issue, South Jeolla Province held a gathering with five cities and counties (Yeosu, Goheung, Haenam, Yeonggwang, and Sinan) and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and proposed the development of a brand new 345kV substation led by the federal government.
Kang Sang-gu, director of the Energy Industry Bureau of Jeollanam-do, emphasized, “Jeollanam-do is currently experiencing rapid grid saturation as a consequence of its insufficient power grid,” and “In an effort to resolve this, institutional improvement by the federal government and related organizations is urgent.” As well as, Jeollanam-do plans to deal with attracting corporations related to secondary batteries, semiconductors, and data centers that require renewable energy.
South Jeolla Province is focusing its administrative power to make sure that the 16GW power plant complex, for which existing power generation business permits have been accomplished, is proceeding as planned, and is aiming to construct a 30GW offshore wind power plant complex. In December of this 12 months, the primary 99MW offshore wind power plant in Korea, led by SK E&S, is scheduled to be accomplished.
The long run outlook is shiny, but solving grid issues and government support are essential. Jeollanam-do is predicted to resolve these issues and lead the local economy and eco-friendly energy transition centered on the renewable energy industry.
Reporter Yang Jun-seok kailas21@aitimes.com
