Gwangju Nam-gu, Enhancing Energy Self-Sufficiency through Solar Power Installation

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Nam-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, is investing about 3.7 billion KRW this year to realize a carbon-neutral energy self-sufficient city. The district will carry out energy efficiency projects such as expanding the supply of renewable energy and facility improvements targeting 231 houses and buildings owned by residents and 876 vulnerable households within the district.

On the 12th, Nam-gu announced, "In the Year of the Black Rabbit, we will promote six projects including support for solar power generation facilities and solar water heating systems in the energy sector, as well as insulation, boiler replacement, cool roofs, and LED light replacement." They added, "Through this, we plan to expand the supply of renewable energy and realize energy welfare for vulnerable groups."

The projects to be promoted this year include support for renewable energy convergence (2.189 billion KRW), energy efficiency improvement for low-income households (1 billion KRW), support for climate change vulnerable groups (300 million KRW), energy welfare for vulnerable groups (225 million KRW), distribution of gas safety devices (20 million KRW), and establishment of a foundation for expanding renewable energy (17 million KRW).

First, through the renewable energy convergence support project, Nam-gu will support solar power generation facilities and solar water heating systems for 231 houses and buildings in Bangnim 1·2-dong and Bongseon 1·2-dong.

This is to achieve a 50% renewable energy self-sufficiency rate by 2030. From 2018 to 2022, solar power and solar thermal facilities were installed in 1,498 houses and buildings in Daechon-dong, Songam-dong, Hyodeok-dong, Juwol 1·2-dong, Wolsan-dong, Wolsan 4·5-dong, Yangnim-dong, Sajik-dong, and Baegun 1·2-dong.

Additionally, to improve energy efficiency for low-income households, insulation, window replacement, boiler replacement, and air conditioner supply will be carried out for 500 households in the district.

This project is scheduled to be fully implemented from the second half of the year.

Along with this, Nam-gu will install cool roofs and cool walls to lower building temperatures during summer for 26 climate change vulnerable households and 5 multi-use facilities in Wolsan-dong. In terms of realizing energy welfare, 1,241 high-efficiency LED lights will be distributed to 100 low-income households and 2 welfare facilities within the district.

Furthermore, to prevent fire safety accidents caused by careless gas handling, timer cocks will be installed in 250 households of elderly people aged 65 or older. From May, a 9 kW solar power generation facility will be installed at one senior center in the district to expand the supply of renewable energy.

A Nam-gu official stated, "As a leading city in the energy sector, we will do our best to promote projects to firmly establish an energy self-sufficiency foundation through the expansion of renewable energy supply and to realize energy welfare by reducing energy costs for vulnerable households."