Geochang County and Korea Southern Power Hold Meeting to Attract New Pumped-Storage Power Plant

Discussing Cooperation Measures to Achieve a Shared Goal

On June 19, Geochang County in South Gyeongsang Province announced that it had visited the headquarters of Korea Southern Power, located in Busan Metropolitan City, to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation regarding the attraction of a pumped-storage power plant and to encourage the officials involved.

The visit was attended by Koo Inmo, the governor of Geochang County, Lee Jaewoon, chairman of the Geochang County Council, Lee Seongdae, chairman of the Pumped-Storage Power Plant Attraction Committee, and about ten others. From Korea Southern Power, President Kim Jundong, Vice President Seo Seongjae, Construction Director Ahn Yonghwan, and other officials involved in the pumped-storage power plant attraction project participated in the meeting.

This visit was organized to deliver Geochang County’s strong commitment to attracting the pumped-storage power plant amid intensifying competition among local governments nationwide. The parties also conducted an interim review of the progress in the attraction efforts and discussed cooperation measures to achieve their shared goal of contributing to both regional development and the national energy policy.

Group photo of the meeting to strengthen cooperation for attracting the Geochang County pumped-storage power plant.

Geochang County and Korea Southern Power have carried out various offline promotional activities since March, including the inauguration ceremony and office opening of the attraction committee, a county-wide resolution rally, street marches, the distribution of promotional banners and leaflets, as well as explanatory sessions and resolution rallies in all 12 towns and townships. These efforts were based on the assessment that the Gabuk-myeon Uhyeri and Yongsan-ri areas offer optimal geographical, technical, and transmission conditions for the pumped-storage power plant site.

In addition, during the 'Geochang-e ON Spring Festival' (May 15-18), a promotional booth was operated at the Changpowon event venue alongside a signature campaign to support the project. As a result of these all-out efforts by both the local government and the private sector to create a favorable atmosphere for the attraction, consensus within the region has significantly expanded.

Unlike renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, pumped-storage power is a flexible energy system capable of storing and supplying electricity. It is gaining attention as a “natural battery” in the era of carbon neutrality. Furthermore, a pumped-storage power plant serves as a core strategic project that not only strengthens power infrastructure but also revitalizes the local economy, creates jobs, and improves living conditions.

Despite the population crisis, Geochang County has achieved concrete results, such as maintaining the highest total fertility rate in the province for two consecutive years. Building on this foundation, the county expects that, if it succeeds in attracting the pumped-storage power plant in cooperation with Korea Southern Power, it will be able to establish a sustainable development base. For Korea Southern Power, this project is expected to provide an opportunity to secure a stable business environment and local foundation, as well as to take a leap forward as a global energy leader.

Koo Inmo, the county governor, stated, “Attracting the pumped-storage power plant is a key project that will determine Geochang’s future for the next 100 years, and cooperation with Korea Southern Power is extremely important at this juncture. I hope this visit will serve as a turning point for Geochang County to successfully attract the project and for Korea Southern Power to become a reliable partner for the region.”

He added, “Geochang County will focus all administrative resources on the selection process through administrative support and cooperation with residents. I also ask Korea Southern Power to make every effort and provide active cooperation through a strategic approach so that Geochang County can be selected for the project.”