Kim Dong-yeon Proposes Installation of Largest-Scale Domestic Solar Power Facility on Idle Waters of Pyeongtaek Port

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Kap-dong] Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon has proposed to the government that solar power generation facilities be installed on approximately 7.27 million ㎡ (2.2 million pyeong) of idle waters at Pyeongtaek Port that will be used for disposing of soil generated from port dredging operations.

If the government accepts this proposal and installs solar power generation facilities, a renewable energy complex capable of producing 500MW—the largest scale in Korea—will be created.

On the 21st, Governor Kim held a meeting with Marine and Fisheries Minister Jeon Jae-soo at the Seoul Branch of the National Fishery Products Quality Management Service and proposed a plan to expand renewable energy supply with the above content.

Governor Kim explained the advantages of utilizing Pyeongtaek Port point by point, proposing, "If the idle waters are well utilized, it will be possible to generate 500MW-class electricity, the largest scale in Korea, which will help resolve the issue of securing renewable energy in the Seoul metropolitan area."

In response, Marine and Fisheries Minister Jeon Jae-soo replied, "I fully agree with your purpose, Governor. I will make sure to take good care of it."

Pyeongtaek Port has approximately 7.27 million ㎡ (2.2 million pyeong) of idle waters planned for uses such as dredged soil disposal. Gyeonggi Province's proposal is to convert this area to parallel renewable energy production, such as floating solar power.

As the ministry that oversees port and marine licensing, the Ministry of Marine and Fisheries possesses major licensing authority such as the use of public waters, making close cooperation with the ministry necessary to utilize the site.

If a renewable energy production site of the corresponding scale is developed, it can generate 500MW in power generation capacity, the largest scale in Korea. 500MW is half of the 1GW (equivalent to one nuclear plant) installation capacity that Gyeonggi Province installed over three years through various RE100 policies in the 8th private-sector term.

Previously, the province signed a 'Memorandum of Understanding for Expanding Renewable Energy' with Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix on November 11th, emphasizing the RE100 renewable energy foundation for securing international competitiveness in the semiconductor industry. If the Pyeongtaek Port idle site development is realized, it is expected to greatly contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of Korea's semiconductor industry and supplying renewable energy in the Seoul metropolitan area.

Accordingly, the province believes close cooperation with the Ministry of Marine and Fisheries, which oversees port and marine licensing, is necessary, and has proposed the formation of a working-level consultative body between the two agencies focused on major licensing procedures such as public water usage.

Additionally, since the port hinterland is in the expansion phase, the province also conveyed the opinion to jointly review the installation of solar power utilizing idle areas such as building roofs and parking lots during the planning stage, to share the port's power demand and strengthen support for companies' RE100 initiatives.

Meanwhile, the Pyeongtaek Port hinterland development project being promoted in Poseung-eup, Pyeongtaek, is proceeding in stages from 2006 with a scale of 5.861 million ㎡.