Chungcheongnam-do Province announced on the 18th that it has applied for the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's (MOTIE) 'Distributed Energy Special Zone' designation for two locations: the Daesan Petrochemical Industrial Complex in Seosan and the Goseong National Industrial Complex in Boryeong.

Distributed Energy Special Zones involve direct power transactions between distributed power sources such as combined heat and power (CHP) and fuel cells, and nearby electricity consumers like industrial complexes. The core objective is to establish a system where electricity produced within the region is consumed within the region.

The province anticipates that designation as a Distributed Energy Special Zone will lead to stable power supply and reduced electricity costs, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of local businesses and attracting new companies.

Furthermore, the province foresees benefits such as the creation of new industries and jobs within the region, revitalization of the local economy, prevention of additional large-scale power plant and transmission line construction, and the expansion of renewable energy and the establishment of a self-sufficient supply system.

The Daesan Industrial Complex in Seosan, which has applied for this designation, is attracting attention as an optimal location for a power demand-attracting model due to its excellent conditions, including the co-location of a combined heat and power facility and a large-scale industrial complex.

Boryeong, linked to nearby renewable energy generation complexes, is considered an optimal area for attracting new demand such as data centers, raising high expectations for its designation as a special zone.

A provincial official stated, "Through the selection of the special zone public offering, we will strategically attract large-scale power demand facilities and establish a win-win model with distributed energy power producers within the region. Through this, we will simultaneously achieve regional economic revitalization and carbon neutrality."

The province plans to pursue applications for Distributed Energy Special Zone designation for the Naepo Agro-Bio Convergence Industrial Cluster by 2027 and the Dangjin Green Energy Hub by 2030.

Meanwhile, MOTIE will conduct document review and on-site evaluations and is expected to finalize the selection of special zones in the first half of this year.

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