"Industrial Complexes as Optimal Sites for Solar Power Deployment" ... 6GW Deployment by 2030

Ministry of Industry's Measures to Revitalize Solar Power in Industrial Complexes

The government has announced a blueprint to elevate industrial complexes as key sites for solar power dissemination. The goal is to deploy 6GW by 2030.

On the 3rd, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held the 'Renewable Energy Policy Council' chaired by Second Vice Minister Choi Nam-ho and announced the 'Industrial Complex Solar Power Activation Plan' containing these details. This is an implementation plan following the announcement of the 'Renewable Energy Expansion and Supply Chain Strengthening Strategy.'

(Photo)

As demand for carbon-free energy expands, the government is promoting orderly renewable energy deployment alongside nuclear power. To realize the challenging deployment forecast of over 6GW annually (11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand), issues such as grid burden and local acceptance must be resolved. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy focused on the potential of industrial complexes, which have low residential populations and are developed in a planned manner. Industrial complexes have a high concentration of companies with large power consumption, and the annual installation volume is also on the rise.

The ministry has prepared an activation plan targeting 6GW of solar power deployment in industrial complexes by 2030. First, tailored support will be provided throughout the entire business cycle, from site securing to permitting and facility operation. Business and investment briefings will be held for consultative bodies by industrial complex to encourage participation from tenant companies, and consulting will be provided to concretize business models. During the permitting stage, real-time processing status will be provided and the duration shortened. In the operation stage, support will be given to ensure stability through systematic maintenance.

The public role for orderly solar power deployment will also be strengthened. A consultative body composed of the government, local governments, and related organizations will lead site discovery and public pilot projects. This year, pilot projects totaling 240MW will be promoted, including in the Cheonan, Daebul, Ulsan, and Pohang industrial complexes, and ways for factory owners and workers to participate will be reviewed. Through increasing additional income for industrial complex workers, not only the expansion of solar power deployment within industrial complexes but also effects such as long-term retention of workers are expected.

Institutional efforts to establish a sustainable deployment foundation will also be pursued. A 'participation-type for industrial complex companies' system will be prepared to induce business demand in industrial complexes and expand factory owner participation. When companies and factory owners residing in industrial complexes participate together in projects and meet certain conditions, preferential treatment in bidding will be considered. Additionally, to resolve the risk of facility removal due to factory owner changes, new insurance products and inducement of leasehold registration will be promoted. Thorough safety management against fire, leakage, and other risks will also be ensured.

Vice Minister Choi said, "In Korea's limited site conditions, industrial complexes are the optimal sites for orderly solar power deployment, and we will promote cost-effective deployment centered on public-led projects," adding, "The government, local governments, and related organizations should cooperate organically to pool strength and wisdom for the activation of industrial complex solar power and the spread of business models."