Pledging Joint Response with Local Governments and Partners
for a Smooth Energy Transition
Korea Western Power has joined hands with Taean County in Chungnam and partner companies to minimize the impact on the local economy and alleviate employment shocks during the phased closure of coal-fired power plants starting at the end of this year. The photo shows the 'Commitment to Systematic and Orderly Energy Transition Joint Response' event held on the 25th. Photo by Korea Western Power
Korea Western Power has joined hands with Taean County in Chungnam Province and partner companies to minimize the impact on the local economy and mitigate employment shocks during the phased decommissioning of thermal power plants starting at the end of this year.
On the 25th, Korea Western Power held an event at its Taean headquarters in Chungnam Province to pledge a “systematic and orderly joint response to energy transition.”
The event was attended by Lee Jeongbok, President of Korea Western Power, Ka Se-ro, Mayor of Taean County, representatives of major partner companies for Taean Power Plant Units 1 and 2, local residents, and officials from the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Environment Institute, totaling about 100 participants.
The pledge event proceeded in the following order: presentations by Korea Western Power, Taean County, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, and the Korea Environment Institute; signing of a joint resolution for a systematic and orderly energy transition; and an oath-taking ceremony.
According to the government’s Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand, 28 coal-fired power plants will be decommissioned from the end of this year through 2036. Korea Western Power plans to decommission a total of six coal-fired power generators by 2032, starting with Taean Power Plant Unit 1 at the end of this year.
To ensure a systematic and orderly energy transition, Korea Western Power established the “Energy Transition Support Team” last year?the first among power generation public enterprises?and has continued to provide job transition training for partner company workers in collaboration with specialized institutions.
Commemorative photo of attendees at the "Commitment to Systematic and Orderly Joint Response to Energy Transition" event held on the 25th at the Taean headquarters of Korea Western Power. /Korea Western Power
During the presentations, Korea Western Power explained its operational direction for this year, which focuses on strengthening customized training for partner company workers to enhance expertise, as well as the progress of its energy transition support initiatives.
The Korea Environment Institute discussed the necessity of energy transition policies and shared domestic and international case studies, while the Ministry of Employment and Labor presented the current status of government support policies for job transitions. Taean County outlined key initiatives to minimize the impact on the local economy.
Following this, Lee Jeongbok, President of Korea Western Power, Ka Se-ro, Mayor of Taean County, and representatives from five partner companies signed a resolution pledging joint efforts to secure jobs for partner company workers, revitalize the local economy, and cooperate on carbon-free energy projects, and took an oath of mutual cooperation.
To implement the contents of the resolution, Korea Western Power plans to form and operate a working-level team consisting of the company’s vice president, Taean County’s deputy governor, and representatives recommended by each partner company.
Lee Jeongbok, President of Korea Western Power, said, “I am grateful that everyone agrees on the need to promote energy transition policies and consider their impact on workers and the local economy. In the face of the historical mission of energy transition, let us propose constructive alternatives to the central government and work together to fulfill our roles.”
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