Taebaek City Announces Three Core Projects for Carbon-Free Clean Energy Transition

Taebaek City in Gangwon Province (Mayor Lee Sangho) announced on the 25th that it participated in the "National and Local Governments Working Together for Carbon Neutrality: Climate Crisis Response Policy Forum," jointly hosted by the National Assembly Special Committee on the Climate Crisis and the Council of Local Governments for Climate Crisis Response and Energy Transition on the 24th, where it presented Taebaek's strategy for transitioning to a carbon-free clean energy city.

Taebaek City Hall exterior. Provided by Taebaek City

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The forum was attended by Wi Seongon, Chair of the National Assembly Special Committee on the Climate Crisis, Lee Jaejun, Mayor of Suwon, Jeong Myeonggeun, Mayor of Hwaseong, Park Seungwon, Mayor of Gwangmyeong, and Kwon Ikhyeon, Mayor of Buan County, among others. The participants discussed cooperation measures between central and local governments in responding to the climate crisis, as well as key issues related to climate decentralization.

Taebaek City introduced three core projects currently being pursued to transition from a coal industry city to a carbon-free clean energy city, and called for active government support.

First, the city emphasized the need for the rapid establishment of relevant systems-such as the designation of a clean methanol special zone, product certification, safety standards, and R&D-to foster the clean methanol industry, which is easy to store and transport and has a significant effect in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Next, the city proposed expanding wind power generation by utilizing its abundant high-altitude resources at an average elevation of 900 meters. Taebaek City explained its plans to operate tourism and education programs to enhance public acceptance and revitalize the local economy, and requested the allocation of additional REC (Renewable Energy Certificate) weight for wind farms.

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In addition, the city announced plans to promote the recycling of coal gangue, which had previously been classified as waste, by using it as an industrial raw material. The city explained the need to establish a business complex support center for raw material industries, permanently delegate the authority to sell or transfer coal gangue free of charge, designate a low-carbon material regulation-free special zone, and provide carbon emissions trading incentives as part of the institutional foundation.

Mayor Lee Sangho stated, "Taebaek City's three core projects are key strategies for revitalizing the local economy and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050," adding, "Government administrative and financial support is essential." He further said, "We will work together with citizens to become a sustainable energy innovation city."

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