Kim Yongbeom Holds Briefing on the 31st
"Electricity to Be Produced and Consumed Locally"
Creating a Korean Silicon Valley in the Jeonnam Region
The Presidential Office has announced plans to transform the Jeonnam region into a next-generation power innovation hub. To achieve this, it will allocate a budget of 200 billion won to establish and distribute small-scale power grids nationwide.
On July 31, Kim Yongbeom, Chief Policy Officer of the Presidential Office, held a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office and stated, "As renewable energy increases, the current power system, which generates electricity at large power plants in certain regions and transmits it over long distances nationwide, will inevitably have to change." He added, "We need to shift to a distributed energy power grid by creating small-scale power grids across the country that allow electricity to be produced and consumed locally, thereby minimizing transmission and improving energy efficiency."
In some regions, a lack of transmission facilities prevents the sale of electricity produced from renewable energy, resulting in wasted power. In contrast, areas such as the Seoul metropolitan area and regions densely populated with businesses with high electricity demand are facing shortages. To address this power mismatch, Kim explained that small-scale power grids based on renewable energy would be established throughout various regions.
Yongbeom Kim, Director of Policy Office at the Presidential Office, is answering reporters' questions after a briefing on the conclusion of the Korea-US tariff negotiations at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 31st. Photo by Yonhap News
Kim emphasized, "We will make the Jeonnam region, which has abundant renewable energy potential and an urgent need for power grid development, the innovation hub for next-generation power grids." He continued, "We will develop industrial complexes in Jeonnam, such as those for steel and petrochemicals, into renewable energy microgrid complexes and concentrate resources there." A microgrid refers to a system in which electricity is generated from renewable energy in a small area, stored when there is a surplus, and used from storage when there is a shortage.
Kim also stated, "We will create a talent and startup valley, which could become the Korean version of Silicon Valley, centered around Korea Energy Engineering University, Chonnam National University, and Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology." He continued, "We will nurture world-class talent in the power sector." He added, "We will form the K-Renewable Energy One Team, which can be called the Avengers of the power industry, to lead Korea toward becoming a global leader in the energy industry."
Regarding President Lee Jaemyung's vision for the power grid, Kim explained, "The aim is to export power technology and products worldwide, equipping the energy industry to become Korea's next semiconductor industry."
The project budget is set at approximately 200 billion won. Kim stated, "It will be funded by the national budget so as not to place a heavy burden on Korea Electric Power Corporation."
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