Korea South-East Power to Build 500MW LNG Power Plant in Susin-myeon
Civic Groups Say "LNG Power Plant Is Not Eco-Friendly... Review Should Be Withdrawn"
Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd. is considering the construction of a 500MW-class LNG power plant in Cheonan, Chungnam, while civic groups such as the "Climate Crisis Cheonan Emergency Action" have begun to raise opposition.
Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd. is considering the construction of a 500MW-class LNG power plant in Cheonan, Chungnam, while civic groups such as the 'Climate Crisis Cheonan Emergency Action' have begun to raise opposition.
Korea South-East Power held a briefing session on the 'Cheonan SMART ENERGY FIELD' project on the 23rd of last month. The project primarily involves the construction of one 500MW-class power plant using liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel on the expanded site of the 5th General Industrial Complex in Susin-myeon, with construction starting in April 2027 and completion targeted for November 2029.
The total project cost is estimated at around 800 billion won, and the regional economic effects from the power plant construction are estimated to be a total production inducement effect of 650 billion won and a total employment inducement effect of 3,200 people during the construction period.
In particular, they explained that the air pollutants from the power plant construction are limited to nitrogen oxides of type 1, and that the increase in nitrogen oxides in the Cheonan area after hosting the 500MW-class power plant is about 1.42%, minimizing environmental impact.
In response, civic groups such as the 'Climate Crisis Cheonan Emergency Action' held a press conference at the Cheonan City Hall briefing room on the 4th, stating, "The construction of the LNG power plant is an anachronistic plan that makes it impossible to implement the 'Cheonan City 2050 Carbon Neutral Basic Plan' and the review of the 5th Industrial Complex LNG power plant construction must be immediately withdrawn."
They pointed out, "LNG is a fossil fuel, not an eco-friendly energy source, emitting the second highest amount of carbon monoxide after coal," and "Considering the sharp decline in gas power generation and the 2050 carbon neutrality goal, the plan to build a new LNG power plant only increases stranded assets and hinders climate crisis response."
They added, "Using the excuse of a 'national project,' they only present the illusion of regional development and population growth, while concealing concerns about residents' health rights infringement due to the power plant construction and follow-up measures such as transmission tower installation," and raised their voices, saying, "What Cheonan needs to implement the 2050 Cheonan City Carbon Neutral Basic Plan is not an LNG power plant but eco-friendly energy such as solar power plants, and the city should withdraw the review of the 5th Industrial Complex LNG power plant."
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