Photo: YONHAP News
A public hearing was held on the 24th to collect opinions on the 9th Basic Plan for Power Supply and Demand, which is based on the reduction of coal and nuclear power generation and expansion of renewable energy.
The 9th power supply and demand plan contains 15 years of power generation facility plans from this year to 2034.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy introduced the main contents of the 9th Basic Electric Power Supply and Demand Plan and answered inquiries received in advance through a public hearing held on the same day due to Corona 19.
The 9th power plan released by the Ministry of Industry contains the abolition of 30 coal-fired power plants with an operating life of 30 years until 2034.
24 of the coal generators that are being discontinued to stabilize supply and demand are converted to liquefied natural gas (LNG) power generation.
Seven coal power plants currently under construction, including Gangneung Anin Thermal Power Plant Units 1 and 2, Samcheok Thermal Power Plant Units 1 and 2, Seocheon Shinseocheon Thermal Power Plant Units, and Goseong High Thermal Power Plant Units 1 and 2, are to be completed as scheduled and included in the 9th power plan.
Dr. Lim Jae-gyu of the Energy Economics Institute of the Working Group, who drafted the 9th power plan, responded to a question that “the construction of 7 new coal power plants should be stopped”, “the construction of a new coal power plant that is being promoted through due process will be stopped without the voluntary intention of the operator. It is difficult to do,” he answered.
In the case of nuclear power generation, the 9th power plan was formulated with the peak of 26 units in 2022 when Shinhanul units 1 and 2 are completed, and then decreases to 17 units by 2034.
Shinhanul Units 3 and 4, which have been suspended due to the government’s policy of eliminating nuclear power plants, are missing from the 9th power plan.
In this regard, Dr. Lim explained, “We have no choice but to exclude the supply volume that is uncertain due to the supply and demand plan goal.”
In addition, regarding the opinion that nuclear power plants are necessary for carbon neutrality, officials from the Ministry of Industry and members of the Working Group said, “It is true that nuclear power plants are relatively eco-friendly, but the fundamental alternative to carbon neutrality is due to spent nuclear fuel, deteriorating economic feasibility due to external costs, and public acceptance. It is difficult to see it as,” he said.
The Ministry of Industry and Industry put in the 9th power plan a plan to increase the capacity of new and renewable energy facilities from 20.1GW this year to 77.8GW in 2034.
The Ministry of Industry and Industry is planning to prepare the final electric power plan by reflecting the opinions from the public hearing, and hold the electric power policy deliberation at the end of this month to finalize the 9th electric power plan.