Minister Kim Sungwhan Visits Haenam: "The Solution to Power Shortages in the AI Era Is Solar Energy"

Mayor Myunghyungwan: "Regulations Are Blocking the 5.4 GW Complex"
Directly Addresses On-Site Challenges

On December 11, Kim Sungwhan, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, visited Solarsido in Haenam, South Jeolla Province, where he presided over the launch ceremony of the "Climate and Energy Field Response Task Force," marking a new chapter in region-based decarbonization policies.

At the launch ceremony, Myunghyungwan, Mayor of Haenam County, presented the blueprint for the "Solarsido AI Energy Future City." Reporting on the plan to build a large-scale solar power complex with a capacity of 5.4 GW (gigawatts), Mayor Myung emphasized, "Securing sufficient renewable energy power is essential for the stable operation of large-scale AI infrastructure."

Kim Sung-hwan, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, who visited Haenam Solarsido, is inspecting the site with Myunghyeon Kwan, Mayor of Haenam County. Provided by Haenam County

Mayor Myung also focused on conveying the voices from the field. He pointed out that difficulties such as delays in obtaining permits, limitations in power grid connections, and prolonged environmental assessments are recurring issues in the process of promoting renewable energy projects, appealing for "active support from the government."

Minister Kim announced that, with the launch of this task force, the government will identify regional climate and energy issues centered on local and basin environmental agencies nationwide, and systematically promote the creation of a decarbonized ecosystem through public-private collaboration. Plans to improve regulations will also be prepared.

After the ceremony, Minister Kim and Mayor Myung visited Sani Garden in Solarsido, the solar power plant operation center, the Garden of the Sun, and the planned site for the RE100 industrial complex, directly inspecting the status and expansion potential of Haenam's renewable energy infrastructure.

Mayor Myung stated, "The establishment of a dedicated RE100 industrial complex will greatly contribute to strengthening the nation's industrial competitiveness," adding, "Through close cooperation with relevant institutions, we will develop the Solarsido area into an AI-renewable energy convergence ecosystem and prepare it to grow as a hub for new national industries."