Gov. Park Su-hyeon Proposes Hosting Integrated Power Utility HQ in Chungnam

The Governor of Chungnam made two official proposals at the National Assembly on the 20th. The first was to bring an integrated headquarters consolidating the nation’s power generation public enterprises to Chungnam, and the second was to relocate public institutions under the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment to the Chungnam Innovation City.

Why does Chungnam need these facilities? Of the 52 coal-fired power plants nationwide, more than half (28) are located in Chungnam, with an additional 21 scheduled to be decommissioned by 2038. Korea Midland Power and Korea Western Power are headquartered in Boryeong and Taean, respectively, while Korea East-West Power’s major plant is located in Dangjin. The province maintains that attracting the integrated headquarters is necessary to offset the impact on these local regions.

Already, in Boryeong City and Taean County, population decline and regional economic contraction are becoming visible following the suspension and closure of thermal power plants.