To secure future growth for Hampyeong County in South Jeolla Province, a long-term development strategy has been proposed, focusing on the establishment of an 8GW renewable energy production hub, attracting an RE100 national industrial complex, and sharing energy profits with local residents.
Ominsu, the head of the Hampyeong County Development Association and the Hampyeong County Social Organizations Council, emphasized in a commentary on November 14 that "national balanced development should not remain just a slogan" and that Hampyeong must leverage its renewable energy resources to create a new growth foundation for the local economy.
He referenced the democratic spirit of former President Kim Dae-jung, the philosophy of national balanced development from former President Roh Moo-hyun, and President Lee Jae-myung's vision for a basic society, arguing that these national values should translate into policies that genuinely improve the lives of rural residents.
Ominsu identified key challenges for Hampyeong, including rural aging, population decline, decreasing agricultural income, and youth outmigration, and stressed the need for a new regional development model utilizing the renewable energy industry.
He outlined four core strategies for the next 100 years of Hampyeong: the creation of an 8GW renewable energy production hub, the attraction of a 345kV substation and an RE100 national industrial complex, the introduction of a solar pension to share energy profits with residents, and the establishment of compensation and regional coexistence measures for residents affected by national projects.
He highlighted that the competitiveness of advanced industries such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and data centers relies on stable power supply, proposing the development of a large-scale renewable energy production hub that utilizes Hampyeong's sunlight, agricultural base, and geographical conditions.
To achieve this, he called for the enactment of special legislation related to the super-regional strategic project special zone and the designation of the 8GW renewable energy production hub.
Additionally, he presented the attraction of a 345kV substation as a critical infrastructure task linking renewable energy production with advanced industry development.
Ominsu explained that the plan for a 1 million pyeong RE100 national industrial complex, which he discussed with Jeollanam-do in 2025, and the promotion of the 8GW renewable energy production hub require supporting transmission and transformation infrastructure capable of accommodating and supplying large-scale power.
He stated, "The 345kV substation is not just a power facility but a key infrastructure for attracting future advanced industries and revitalizing the local economy," urging relevant agencies to thoroughly review power demand, renewable energy supply plans, and site feasibility.
He also emphasized that the economic benefits from renewable energy development should return to local residents.
Ominsu argued for a community participation model in which profits from large-scale power projects are shared among landowners, farmers, and local residents, moving beyond a structure that concentrates profits in a few companies.
He specifically proposed the introduction of a solar pension system that returns energy profits to residents and connects it with basic income policies for rural areas.
He stated, "The electricity produced in Hampyeong should not only benefit businesses; it should provide new income for farmers, stable retirement for the elderly, and hope for youth to live in their hometowns."
The issue of compensation for residents affected by national policy projects was also raised.
Ominsu cited the relocation project of the National Institute of Animal Science's Livestock Resource Development Division as an example, stressing the need for appropriate compensation and regional coexistence development measures for residents impacted by changes to their living environments and agricultural activities.
He argued that policies should not only prioritize the necessity of national projects but also consider the damages to residents and the burdens on local communities.
Additionally, he noted that Hampyeong is a region that embodies the patriotic spirit of independence activist Kim Cheol and emphasized the importance of carrying the historical pride of the area into future development.
Ominsu stated, "Politics must change the lives of residents, policies must be proven through residents' incomes, and national balanced development must be reflected in Hampyeong's progress."
He added, "The Hampyeong County administration, county council, nine town and village social organizations, and residents must unite beyond political positions and local interests for the future of the region, creating a Hampyeong where the achievements of renewable energy production and advanced industry development lead to residents' income and happiness."
Meanwhile, Ominsu proposed the promotion of special legislation related to the super-regional strategic project special zone and the designation of the 8GW renewable energy production hub as priorities for Hampyeong's long-term development in this commentary. However, he noted that discussions with relevant agencies, assessments of power system capacity, securing project feasibility, ensuring community acceptance, and establishing funding plans must precede these initiatives.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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