Region highlights renewable energy resources and power industry cluster in bid to attract consolidated headquarters
The South Jeolla-Gwangju Special Integrated City is intensifying its campaign to attract the consolidated headquarters of South Korea's five state-run power generation companies to Naju, citing the city's abundant renewable energy resources, growing electricity demand from advanced industries, and concentration of power-sector public institutions.
The integrated city said Wednesday that it held a strategy forum at a multipurpose cultural and sports center in Bitgaram-dong, Naju, to discuss plans for landing the unified headquarters and the broader direction of energy industry development.
The forum laid out the case for Naju as the natural home of the consolidated headquarters and outlined steps to pursue the bid. Participants broadly agreed that the headquarters of a unified power generation company — one tasked with leading the expansion of renewable energy and a just energy transition — should be located in Naju, given its established power industry foundation.
The South Jeolla-Gwangju region is expanding its renewable energy production base, drawing on abundant solar and wind resources. It is also broadening programs that share generation revenues with local residents through solar and wind income schemes, building a model in which the gains from the energy transition flow back to the community.
The region's electricity demand is expected to grow substantially once advanced industry facilities — including a semiconductor cluster and AI data centers — come online, significantly increasing the need for 100 percent renewable energy use under the RE100 initiative.
The integrated city highlighted these abundant generation resources and rising power demand as key competitive advantages in its bid for the unified headquarters.
The cluster of power-sector public institutions already based in Naju was also cited as a locational strength. Korea Electric Power Corporation, Kepco Plant Service & Engineering, Korea Electric Power Data Network and the Korea Power Exchange are all present in the city, and their proximity — combined with the research and talent-development capabilities of the Korea Energy University — would amplify the synergies available to a consolidated headquarters, officials said.
"Naju is the optimal location, combining abundant renewable energy, electricity demand from advanced industries, and a concentration of power public institutions," said Deputy Mayor for Balanced Development Baek Seung-ju of the South Jeolla-Gwangju Special Integrated City. "Let us pool all our capabilities, working closely with Naju, to secure the unified headquarters."
sij@heraldcorp.com
