400kW Scale, 244t Carbon Reduction, Powering 146 Households
Overcoming Climate Crisis, Citizen Participation in Zero-Emission Electricity Production
A 400kW solar power plant has been completed on the rooftop of the Woorinuri Youth Culture Center building in Masanhwoin-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam.
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] On the 18th, Changwon City in Gyeongnam held a completion ceremony for a 400 kW solar power plant on the rooftop of the Woorinuri Youth Culture Center building in Masanhwoewon-gu.
About 30 officials and cooperative members attended the completion ceremony to celebrate the completion of the solar power plant.
The city expects to achieve a carbon reduction effect of 244 tons with a scale of 400 kW and produce electricity sufficient for 146 households.
Last September, Changwon City signed a business cooperation agreement for citizen-benefit sharing solar power generation with the Changwon Citizen Energy Cooperative and Gyeongnam Energy, deciding to produce clean energy by utilizing idle public land owned by the city.
The city promised administrative support such as discovering and leasing idle public property, Gyeongnam Energy agreed to install and operate the solar power facilities and fund the profits for 20 years using the city’s climate fund resources, and the Changwon Citizen Energy Cooperative committed to creating a fund for solar power installation costs targeting citizens and operating a cooperative that shares profits with citizens.
The power plant was built to spread clean energy, the first step toward carbon neutrality, and was promoted as “Changwon City’s first citizen-benefit sharing power plant,” where citizens invest in the production process and share the profits.
Gyeongnam Energy plans to complete 1,000 kW power plants at five locations including Uichang Sports Center and Daesan Material Recycling Center by May this year and will pay 620 million KRW to the city over 20 years.
The city stated, “We raised 200 million KRW in investment funds from citizens at the fastest pace nationwide,” adding, “This is the result of the cooperative gathering the power of citizens who seriously recognize the climate crisis and want to participate in overcoming it.”
Chairman Ahn Myung-seon said, “Since the formation of the cooperative, about 150 members have gathered in three months, and we feel rewarded as inquiries about joining the cooperative continue,” and added, “We will promote the construction of the 2nd and 3rd power plants and a 5% dividend for cooperative members.”
Changwon Mayor Heo Seong-mu said, “We will support the spread of this case, which produces clean electricity without environmental damage, to industrial complexes, factories, rooftops, and other places.”
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