Osan-si Discusses Local Heating Fee Reduction Plan with DS Power

Proposing a Phased Reduction Plan
for Citizens' Livelihood Stability

On the 10th, Osan City in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 11th that Mayor Lee Gwon-jae visited DS Power, the collective energy supplier in the Osan area, to discuss measures to reduce the district heating charges.

This meeting was a city-level response following recent requests from residents receiving district heating in the area to Mayor Lee Gwon-jae for a reduction in fees. According to the city, the discussions included ▲sharing the heat charge calculation method ▲adjustment plans for residential heat charges ▲expansion of district heating supply in development zones.

Lee Gwon-jae (second from left), Mayor of Osan, is discussing a plan to reduce fees with DS Power, a local district heating supplier. Provided by Osan City

According to the city, as of July 1 last year, DS Power's residential district heating charge was 122.43 KRW per 1M㎈, approximately 9% higher than the Korea District Heating Corporation's rate of 112.32 KRW, which is publicly procured. DS Power supplies district heating to about 50,000 households in Osan City, including Segyo 1 and 2 districts, Unam district, and Osan City Xi Phase 1, using LNG as the raw material.

During the meeting, the city proposed a phased approach to resolve the price gap. Mayor Lee stated, "The issue of district heating charges is an important matter directly related to the actual living expenses of citizens," and added, "I hope DS Power will work together to ease the fee burden so that all citizens of Osan can enjoy energy welfare benefits at reasonable rates."

In response, DS Power said, "To stably adjust district heating charges, achieving economies of scale through expanding the number of supplied households is essential," but also responded, "We will carefully examine whether there are ways to reduce the financial burden on citizens."