As the semiconductor and AI cluster in the Seoul metropolitan area faces limitations in power and water supply, Solar City in Haenam, South Jeolla Province, is emerging as a new breakthrough. With major investment plans announced by global tech giants like Samsung Electronics, Solar City is poised to become a key hub for South Korea's AI development.
On July 7, Hwang Jun-ho, CEO of South West Coast City Development, highlighted the 'prepared infrastructure' as a key factor in attracting large-scale investments during an interview with Aju Economy. He stated, "In a situation where global tech companies are facing significant barriers such as power shortages and carbon neutrality (RE100), Solar City offers concrete and feasible solutions for sourcing large-scale renewable energy locally."
Solar City has approximately 4 million pyeong of available land ready for immediate construction, along with solar energy capacity expected to reach 5.4 GW by 2030 and over 1 million tons of water supply year-round. Hwang emphasized that the upcoming construction of the National AI Computing Center by the Samsung SDS consortium and Samsung Electronics' 17 trillion won investment in the National AI Data Center will solidify Solar City as South Korea's definitive AI national hub.
To ensure stable power supply, a diversified energy mix utilizing large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and smart grids (AI EMS) is also in preparation. However, Hwang stressed that regulatory easing is essential for the swift advancement of these projects.
He asserted, "For the investments from advanced companies to be realized without delay, the prompt passage of the 'Special Law on the Establishment and Support of Renewable Energy Self-Sufficient Cities,' currently pending in the National Assembly, is absolutely the top priority."
The ultimate vision for Solar City is to create a 'global advanced manufacturing and energy convergence belt,' with attracting top talent as the primary prerequisite. Hwang called for comprehensive policy support from the government to achieve this.
He suggested, "To create a 'regional settlement ecosystem' where outstanding IT talent voluntarily relocates and settles, there needs to be substantial support for 'extraordinary life care benefits for talent' beyond just incentives for companies."
Specifically, he emphasized the need for significant tax benefits, such as income tax reductions, for advanced industry personnel working in Solar City, and called for regulatory easing to establish prestigious educational institutions, international schools, and specialized high schools in AI and semiconductors to alleviate concerns about children's education for relocating families.
On July 7, Hwang Jun-ho, CEO of South West Coast City Development, highlighted the 'prepared infrastructure' as a key factor in attracting large-scale investments during an interview with Aju Economy. He stated, "In a situation where global tech companies are facing significant barriers such as power shortages and carbon neutrality (RE100), Solar City offers concrete and feasible solutions for sourcing large-scale renewable energy locally."
Solar City has approximately 4 million pyeong of available land ready for immediate construction, along with solar energy capacity expected to reach 5.4 GW by 2030 and over 1 million tons of water supply year-round. Hwang emphasized that the upcoming construction of the National AI Computing Center by the Samsung SDS consortium and Samsung Electronics' 17 trillion won investment in the National AI Data Center will solidify Solar City as South Korea's definitive AI national hub.
To ensure stable power supply, a diversified energy mix utilizing large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and smart grids (AI EMS) is also in preparation. However, Hwang stressed that regulatory easing is essential for the swift advancement of these projects.
He asserted, "For the investments from advanced companies to be realized without delay, the prompt passage of the 'Special Law on the Establishment and Support of Renewable Energy Self-Sufficient Cities,' currently pending in the National Assembly, is absolutely the top priority."
The ultimate vision for Solar City is to create a 'global advanced manufacturing and energy convergence belt,' with attracting top talent as the primary prerequisite. Hwang called for comprehensive policy support from the government to achieve this.
He suggested, "To create a 'regional settlement ecosystem' where outstanding IT talent voluntarily relocates and settles, there needs to be substantial support for 'extraordinary life care benefits for talent' beyond just incentives for companies."
Specifically, he emphasized the need for significant tax benefits, such as income tax reductions, for advanced industry personnel working in Solar City, and called for regulatory easing to establish prestigious educational institutions, international schools, and specialized high schools in AI and semiconductors to alleviate concerns about children's education for relocating families.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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