Suwon and 19 Other Local Governments Launch 'Regional Energy Center Local Government Council'

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jeong Jun-sung] The 'Regional Energy Center Local Government Council', composed of Suwon and 19 other basic local governments, has been launched.

The 'Regional Energy Center Local Government Council', overseen by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, held its inaugural ceremony on the 22nd at the Kensington Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, and pledged cooperation. The council brings together 20 basic local governments that operate regional energy centers.

Suwon was selected for the 'Local Government Regional Energy Plan and Center Pilot Project' sponsored by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and established the 'Suwon Energy Center' within Ajou University's Energy Center last August. The energy center serves to establish and implement local governments' energy policies.

The 20 local governments operating energy centers plan to build a network and consistently cooperate by sharing tasks.

Suwon Vice Mayor Yoo Moon-jong, who attended the inaugural ceremony, made recommendations to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on 'plans for activating regional energy centers'.

Vice Mayor Yoo said, "Local governments are in a situation where they are giving considerable thought to setting the direction of regional energy center projects and activities," adding, "If the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy provides operating guidelines for regional energy centers, it would be greatly beneficial to local governments."

He further emphasized, "For regional energy centers to serve as the core of regional energy policy and expand public-private networks, government financial support must be expanded."