Jeollanam-do Proposes Key Issues for 'Energy Capital,' Including Transfer of Power Generation Licensing Authority

Governor Kim Youngrok Discusses Revitalizing the Energy Industry with Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment
Requests Inclusion of Special Provisions in the Gwangju-Jeonnam Administrative Integration Special Act

Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Youngrok is presenting key issues to Minister Kim Sunghwan of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment to foster Jeonnam as a hub for South Korea's new energy industries during a luncheon meeting held at the headquarters of Korea Electric Power Corporation in Naju on the 22nd. Provided by Jeonnam Province

On January 22, Jeollanam-do held a luncheon meeting with Kim Seonghwan, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, at the headquarters of Korea Electric Power Corporation in Naju. During the meeting, the province proposed key issues to foster Jeonnam as a hub for South Korea's new energy industry, including the transfer of power generation business licensing authority.

This luncheon, part of Minister Kim's first visit to the Honam region since taking office, was attended by Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Youngrok, National Assemblyman Shin Jeonghoon, Korea Electric Power Corporation President Kim Dongcheol, Naju Mayor Yoon Byungtae, Acting President of Korea Energy Engineering University Park Jin-ho, and 15 other key figures leading the region's energy ecosystem.

During the meeting, Governor Kim Youngrok emphasized that Jeonnam is the core hub for South Korea's energy transition. He requested active government support for the successful promotion of the Gwangju-Jeonnam administrative integration and for regional development centered on renewable energy. In particular, based on the incentives for administrative integration announced by the Prime Minister, he called for the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment to play a key role in ensuring that essential special provisions are reflected in the special energy law.

Specifically regarding administrative integration, he proposed institutional improvements such as the transfer of licensing authority for solar power projects under 50MW and offshore wind power projects under 100MW to the metropolitan city, infrastructure support for offshore wind power ports and hinterland complexes, and the activation of direct power transactions within the specialized distributed energy complex.

To address grid saturation, which is cited as the biggest obstacle to the expansion of renewable energy, he requested as short-term measures a significant expansion of energy storage systems (ESS), the restructuring of Korea Electric Power Corporation's inactive operators, and securing grid capacity through the prompt replacement of aging transmission lines. As mid- to long-term measures, he proposed accelerating the timeline for constructing the West Coast high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line and providing national funding support for building transmission and distribution facilities within the specialized distributed energy complex.

Governor Kim stated, "Jeonnam is the center of South Korea's energy transition, equipped with both renewable energy potential and energy industry infrastructure. I hope the issues discussed at this meeting will lead to national policy and institutional improvements, with the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and Korea Electric Power Corporation working together in support."