[Photo] Government to build massive renewable energy plant in North Jeolla Province

The South Korean government announced its plan to build a vast 4GW renewable energy plant on a tract of reclaimed land on the west coast known as Saemangeum on Oct. 30. The plan calls for 3GW of solar energy and 1GW of wind power.

The North Jeolla provincial government applauded the effort as a production measure against climate change and economic stagnation, but regional environmentalists and residents have criticized the project as being “all show” and full of empty promises. Observers have also pointed out that perhaps the government has displayed excessive optimism in the project without paying attention to realistic details. The photo shows South Korean President Moon Jae-in (left), Kim Hyun Mee, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Hyun-mee, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Sung Yun-mo,, and North Jeolla Governor Song Ha-jin inspecting solar panels in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, on Oct. 30. (photo pool)