Pohang City Wins 'Grand Prize' in Gyeongsangbuk-do Energy Awards Evaluation

Recognition of Achievements in Energy Efficiency Improvement and Renewable Energy Expansion

Pohang City Hall, Gyeongbuk.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Pohang City, Gyeongbuk, received the grand prize in the ‘2021 Gyeongsangbuk-do Energy Awards’ evaluation.

Hosted by Gyeongsangbuk-do and organized by the Korea Energy Agency Daegu-Gyeongbuk Regional Headquarters, the Gyeongsangbuk-do Energy Awards evaluate excellent policies among 23 cities and counties within the province.

The evaluation is based on a total of eight criteria: promotion of rational energy use, education and publicity in the energy sector, energy-saving projects, renewable energy dissemination projects, discovery of energy policies and system improvements, energy-saving inspections and crackdowns, safety inspections of renewable energy facilities, resident participation, and contribution to achieving provincial policies.

The city established a ‘Comprehensive Renewable Energy Plan’ aiming to supply 20% of Pohang’s electricity consumption from renewable energy by 2030, fostering the renewable energy dissemination expansion, and nurturing the hydrogen fuel cell industry through the creation of a hydrogen fuel cell certification center and a hydrogen fuel cell power generation cluster.

It was also recognized for achievements in energy efficiency improvement projects, such as providing LED lighting, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, electrical safety diagnostics, and support for installing energy-saving equipment in elevators for vulnerable groups.

Since 2015, Pohang has been selected for eight consecutive government public projects through the renewable energy convergence support project until 2022. With a total project cost of 15.2 billion KRW, it has been reducing energy consumption by distributing 1,308 solar power sites, 225 solar thermal sites, 63 geothermal sites, and 2 fuel cell sites.

The city plans to accelerate energy-related projects by investing a total of 186.3 billion KRW if the ‘Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power Generation Cluster,’ a key project promoted with Gyeongbuk Province in the hydrogen economy era, passes the final preliminary feasibility study.

From 2023 to 2027, Pohang intends to develop an enterprise agglomeration complex, a parts and materials performance evaluation center, and a localization demonstration complex in the Pohang Blue Valley National Industrial Complex, attracting and concentrating 30 related companies to foster Pohang as the largest hydrogen fuel cell industry hub city in Korea.

Mayor Lee Kang-deok said, “We will expand the dissemination of renewable energy and carry out energy efficiency improvement projects for vulnerable groups so that all citizens can enjoy the benefits of energy welfare,” adding, “By fostering the hydrogen fuel cell industry, we will create jobs and invigorate the economy to build a bigger and more competitive Pohang.”