Floating solar panels on Soyang Lake to share clean energy profits with residents

Solar panels are set to be installed on a corner of Soyang Lake in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, where the dam keeps the water as still as glass. The project is designed as a community benefit model in which profits are shared with local residents.

Gangwon Province is launching a floating solar power initiative — the first concrete step in its "Water-Light Energy Lake Belt" project, which has drawn attention from the central government.

The province held a vision proclamation ceremony for the Soyang River Dam floating solar project Wednesday at the dam's water culture center, joined by the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy, Chuncheon and Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water).

The project will harness Gangwon Province's abundant water resources and solar energy to produce clean power, with revenues shared with local communities as a resident-partnership renewable energy initiative.

Beyond simply installing a renewable energy generation facility, the project aims to build a new community cooperation model in which power generation profits are returned to local communities and residents participate directly in both energy production and profit sharing.

The vision proclamation was organized to formally launch the "Water-Light Energy Lake Belt" — a campaign pledge from the ninth elected-term administration — and to affirm all partners' commitment to positioning Gangwon Province as a hub of clean energy in South Korea.

The project is currently at the stage of commissioning expert research to determine the best approach, with studies underway on installation types — including floating and pile-fixed structures — as well as operating methods, safety technology and design within the designated area.

The ceremony was attended by Gangwon Province Governor Woo Sang-ho, Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy Minister Kim Sung-hwan, Chuncheon Mayor Yuk Dong-han, the head of K-water's water resources and environment division, and representatives from related agencies, who shared the project's direction and future vision.

Gangwon Province, the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy, Chuncheon and K-water presented a joint vision report covering the project's implementation plan and community benefit measures, then jointly signed a solar panel to mark their commitment to the project's success and the expansion of clean energy.

"This will be an energy transition led by residents," Gangwon Province Governor Woo Sang-ho said. "We will make clean energy a source of income for residents, a competitive edge for businesses, and a new engine of jobs and growth for Gangwon Province."