Climate Crisis Incheon Emergency Action Urges "Early Closure of Yeongheung Thermal Power Plant, Reflection in the 10th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Civic groups in the Incheon area have condemned the government's '10th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand Draft,' which does not reflect the early closure plan of the Yeongheung coal-fired power plant.

The 'Climate Crisis Incheon Emergency Action,' composed of 41 civic and social organizations including the Incheon Environmental Movement Federation and Incheon Peace and Welfare Solidarity, issued a statement on the 2nd, criticizing, "There is not a trace of the urgency or seriousness of the global climate crisis response in the government's and Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's 10th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand Draft."

The 10th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand Draft, disclosed by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy at a public hearing on the 28th of last month, shows the power generation share by source in 2030 as nuclear power 32.4%, coal 19.7%, LNG 22.9%, renewable energy 21.6%, hydrogen and ammonia 2.1%, and others 1.3%.

Compared to the '2030 National Greenhouse Gas Reduction Target (NDC) Enhancement Plan' announced by the government in October last year, the nuclear power share has increased by a significant 8.5%, while the renewable energy ratio has decreased by 8.6%, which is pointed out as falling far short of the 2030 interim target for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

The Incheon Emergency Action stated, "Based on the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) 6th Assessment Report Working Group III report approved in April this year, greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by 43% by 2030 and 84% by 2050 compared to the 2018 net emissions to keep the global average temperature rise within 1.5 degrees Celsius," adding, "However, even the '2030 NDC Enhancement Plan' submitted by our country last year is insufficient."

They continued, "According to the 'Incheon City Comprehensive Plan for Climate Change Response' announced last year, without the early closure of the Yeongheung coal-fired power plant, greenhouse gas reduction by 2030 will only reach 22.1% compared to 2018," emphasizing, "The early closure of Yeongheung coal-fired power plant is the fastest and clearest method of reducing greenhouse gases and is not a choice but a necessity amid the intensifying global climate crisis."

The Incheon Emergency Action declared, "We will do our best to continuously urge that the early closure of Yeongheung coal-fired power plant be included until the final version of the 10th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand is released at the end of December."