Government to Build 'Next-Generation Power Grid Innovation Base'
Kim Youngrok: "Accelerating the Construction of an Energy Capital"
The government's selection of Jeonnam as the innovation base for the Korean-style next-generation power grid has given a green light to the creation of the Southwest Energy Innovation Growth Belt.
According to Jeonnam Province on August 1, the government announced the previous day its plan to build a Korean-style next-generation power grid and designated Jeonnam as the center of energy innovation. This plan is a large-scale energy transition strategy that is an extension of the RE100 industrial complex policy announced last month.
The government plans to convert existing industrial complexes in Jeonnam into renewable energy-based microgrid complexes and to focus on deploying advanced infrastructure such as energy storage systems (ESS). Microgrids will be established in various locations, including universities, smart farms, and airports, and an AI-based renewable energy network will be operated on a pilot basis.
Centered on Korea Energy Engineering University, a 'K-Grid Talent and Startup Valley' will be created to foster energy professionals of global standards. Of particular note is the resident participation profit-sharing model, which realizes energy democracy by allowing local residents to participate directly in electricity production and share the profits.
Jeonnam Province plans to create new renewable energy generation complexes with a total capacity of 23GW by 2030 and to establish the Southwest Energy Innovation Growth Belt for a population of 500,000. In addition, the province will accelerate the realization of an annual 1 trillion won energy basic income to share energy profits with residents.
On this day, Jeonnam Governor Kim Youngrok issued a welcoming statement, saying, "The Presidential Office has declared its intention to make Jeonnam the 'next-generation power grid innovation base' along with the plan to build a 'Korean-style next-generation power grid.' Based on the establishment of Jeonnam as the next-generation power grid innovation base by the Lee Jaemyung administration, we will accelerate our steps toward becoming the 'energy capital.'
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