Gwangju City is actively working to attract five power companies, including Korea Midland Power and West, South East, South, and East Power, to Naju.
A local civic group has also been formed to focus on attracting multiple public enterprises, drawing attention to its potential success.
On October 28, a strategy forum titled 'Strategy Forum for Attracting the Integrated Headquarters of the Five Power Companies to Jeonnam Gwangju' was held at the Bitgaram Complex Cultural and Sports Center in Naju, where strategies and directions for the energy industry were discussed.
The forum presented the rationale and strategies for attracting the integrated headquarters of the five power companies to Naju.
Participants emphasized that the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy is a national challenge, highlighting the need for an expansion of renewable energy and a just transition.
The integration of power companies is seen as a new starting point that goes beyond mere organizational consolidation, aiming to lead a national energy transition. Gwangju City, with its abundant renewable energy resources and energy industry infrastructure, is considered the optimal location for the integrated headquarters.
The integrated city is expanding its renewable energy production base, leveraging its rich solar and wind resources.
It is also increasing the income from solar and wind energy shared with residents, creating a model where the benefits of energy transition return to the local community.
With the establishment of advanced industries such as semiconductor clusters and artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, the demand for electricity to achieve 100% renewable energy usage (RE100) is expected to rise significantly.
The integrated city also cited the concentration of public power institutions in Naju as a competitive advantage.
By combining the research and talent development capabilities of the Korea Electric Power Corporation, KEPCO KPS, KEPCO KDN, and the Korea Power Exchange with the Korea Energy Engineering University, the effectiveness of collaboration with the integrated headquarters can be enhanced.
During the forum, the integrated city announced plans to incorporate expert opinions into its attraction strategy and strengthen cooperation with relevant government and parliamentary agencies.
It aims to improve living conditions and broaden public consensus to lay the groundwork for attracting these institutions.
The government plans to integrate the five power companies, including Korea Midland Power, West Power, South East Power, South Power, and East Power, into Korea Power, with a target launch date of October 2027.
Meanwhile, a citizen committee for attracting the second public institutions, including the five power companies, will be launched.
The launch ceremony is scheduled for October 30 at 2 PM at the Bitgaram Complex Cultural and Sports Center in Naju.
About 300 individuals from various sectors, including energy, information and communication technology (ICT), semiconductors, agriculture and life sciences, culture and arts, and media, will participate in the committee.
Former Gwangju Mayor Park Kwang-tae, former National Agricultural Cooperative Federation Chairman Kim Byeong-won, Gwangju Chamber of Commerce Chairman Han Sang-won, and former Korea Electric Power Corporation President Cho Hwan-ik will serve as co-chairs, with Kim Seong-ui, chairman of the Jeonggwan Naju Association, acting as secretary-general.
During the launch ceremony, the committee will announce its activity plans and disclose a statement on attracting the Naju Bitgaram Innovation City for the relocation of the second public institutions.
The adopted statement will be delivered to the Blue House, relevant government ministries, and the National Assembly.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.