Governor Kim Taeheum: "Chungnam to Implement Energy Innovation Policies for All Companies"

Expressed at the Singapore 'EP100 Roundtable'
"Achieving Carbon Neutrality Requires Urgent Improvements in Energy Efficiency"

Chungnam Governor Kim Taeheum attending the EP100 roundtable meeting held in Singapore. / Provided by Chungnam Province

Kim Taeheum, Governor of Chungnam Province, expressed concerns about the sharp increase in electricity demand in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), and stated his intention to actively pursue policies for energy innovation targeting all companies within the province.

Governor Kim, who is currently on a business trip to Singapore to attend the Asia Climate Action Summit as the Chair of the Under2 Coalition Asia-Pacific region, shared these views at the "EP100 Roundtable on Energy Efficiency Improvement" held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on May 8.

EP100 is a campaign aimed at improving the energy efficiency of companies, reducing carbon emissions, and accelerating the transition to clean energy. It is organized by the Climate Group, which serves as the secretariat of the Under2 Coalition.

Approximately 20 participants, including Governor Kim; Nicholas Kellen, Senior Manager of Energy Systems at the Climate Group; Hadrianus Vivek, Southeast Asia Senior Manager at Carbon Trust; Esther An, Chief Sustainability Officer at City Developments; and Sorouch Keradmand, Global Head of Sustainability at Schneider Electric, as well as representatives from international organizations and companies, attended the meeting.

In his keynote speech, Governor Kim explained the background of his attendance by saying, "As the Chair of the Under2 Coalition Asia-Pacific, I felt sorry for not being able to attend the Singapore meeting previously, and I came here to listen to and learn from the many experts present."

He went on to say that during his business trip to the United States earlier this year, he witnessed the massive wildfires in California. "Witnessing such an unprecedented disaster was both shocking and heartbreaking, but at the same time, I felt that the climate crisis is tightening its grip on us," he said. "We must all join forces to respond before it becomes truly irreversible."

He also emphasized, "As industrial structures change with the development of AI technology, electricity demand will continue to rise, and we will need to supply two to three times more electricity with clean energy than we do now. Therefore, improving energy efficiency is an urgent priority for achieving carbon neutrality."

Kim Taeheum, Governor of Chungnam Province, speaking at the Singapore EP100 Roundtable Conference. / Photo by Chungnam Province

Governor Kim further introduced, "Chungnam is an industrial city that ranks second in exports and third in GRDP in South Korea, with manufacturing accounting for 55% of the local economy and the region having the second highest energy demand nationwide. In a situation where Chungnam also operates half of the country's coal-fired power plants, we are pursuing carbon neutrality policies with the determination that 'if Chungnam does not act, South Korea cannot achieve it.'"

He added, "Chungnam is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2045, which is five years ahead of the central government's target. We are creating a hydrogen city ecosystem and preparing comprehensive energy alternatives such as offshore wind power, pumped-storage hydroelectricity, and solar power. By 2035, we will increase the share of renewable energy in total electricity consumption to 90%, and by 2045, we will achieve 100%," he emphasized.

Governor Kim pointed out that local governments in South Korea face significant limitations in terms of finances and authority compared to those in the United States and Germany. He then stated his intention to establish a fund for carbon neutrality, similar to the funds being created for nurturing startups and venture companies and for promoting smart livestock complexes.

In the subsequent discussion, he said, "While central governments in Europe and the United States recognize that carbon neutrality is an inevitable trend of our time, their implementation is lacking. This is largely due to election-related issues and the significant financial investment required. If central governments in each country expand their investment in research and development fields that can realize carbon neutrality, there will be positive effects on achieving carbon neutrality and transitioning to eco-friendly energy."

Governor Kim introduced the upcoming Carbon Neutrality International Conference to be held in Chungnam in September, and requested, "We will invite local governments that have sisterhood relationships with our province, and I hope the Climate Group will also attend to share a wealth of information and knowledge related to carbon neutrality."