Gangwon Chuncheon 'Suyeol Energy Cluster' Invests 360 Billion Won

81.6ha Area in Dong-myeon, Chuncheon-si
Utilized for Soyanggang Dam Deep Water Cooling
Data Center Power Consumption Savings
Gangneung, Groundwater Storage Dam Installation Planned

President Yoon Suk-yeol is attending the groundbreaking ceremony of the Thermal Energy Cluster held on the 11th at Chuncheon Bomnae Gymnasium in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The government will invest 360 billion KRW to establish a thermal energy cluster in the Chuncheon area. Once the cluster is established, deep water from Soyanggang Dam will be used for cooling data centers. In the Gangneung area, an underground water storage dam will be installed to address water shortages, and waste regulations will be relaxed to foster new industries in former mining areas such as Taebaek.

On the 11th, the government announced these plans at the 19th Public Discussion on Livelihood chaired by the President at the Gangwon Provincial Office. The cluster will be developed over 816,000㎡ in Dong-myeon, Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. The project began after being selected as an investment-leading zone to create jobs in the Chuncheon area. It passed the preliminary feasibility study in July 2020 and is scheduled for completion in 2027.

The Ministry of Environment expects that thermal energy will significantly reduce the power consumption of data centers within the cluster. Data centers generate a lot of heat as servers operate 24/7, which must be cooled. However, using deep water from Soyanggang Dam, which maintains an average annual temperature of 7°C, can lower temperatures cost-effectively.

Within the thermal energy cluster, in addition to data centers, a data industry testbed and water energy industry facilities will be established. This is expected to create approximately 7,300 jobs over the next 30 years.

In Yeongok-myeon, Gangneung, the installation of an underground water storage dam is being promoted. The goal is to supply 18,000㎥ of domestic water that can be used by 36,000 residents. The Gangneung area frequently experiences droughts in winter and spring, often leading to restricted water supply or reliance on water support from nearby water treatment plants. Collecting high-quality underground water will enable stable water resource 확보. This year, installation of seven storage dams will begin, with plans to expand nationwide.

The Ministry of Environment also plans to promote rationalization of waste regulations for the utilization of waste in former mining areas. In former mining areas such as Taebaek, a large amount of ‘gyeongseok’ (gangue) generated during coal mining is left abandoned. There are approximately over 200 million tons of gangue in Korea, but it remains unused due to lack of applications. Local governments have sought ways to use it for alternative industry development, but waste regulations have lowered the economic feasibility of such projects, making investment difficult. Accordingly, the Ministry of Environment plans to establish appropriate management measures and consult with related agencies to exempt waste regulations.