In order to establish the power grid needed for the Honam Semiconductor Industrial Complex early, it was decided not to pursue a plan to use transformers from substations to be built in other regions, such as Daegu.
Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment Kim Seong-hwan met with reporters at the substation candidate site in Seo-gu, Gwangju, Jeollanam-do on the 11th and said, "We have decided to order a new transformer for the power grid of the Honam semiconductor industrial complex, rather than replacing an existing transformer, because this can lead to various misunderstandings."
The Ministry of Climate Change reviewed a plan to divert transformers for substations under construction in Daegu and other places in order to build the first phase of the Honam Semiconductor Industrial Complex transmission line one year earlier than originally planned.
The transformers considered for use were those to be used in the 345kV Sindalseong Substation (Daegu), the 154kV Sadeung Substation (Geoje, Gyeongnam), the 154kV Jungheung Substation (Yeosu, Gwangju, Jeollanam-do), the 154kV Sinhang Substation (Busan), and the 154kV Busan Port Substation (Busan).
Daegu and other regions immediately protested. This was because the completion of all substations that were being considered for transformer conversion, including the Sindalseong Substation, had already been delayed, and further delays seemed inevitable upon conversion. As replacement of aging power grids is promoted, especially in North America, and there is a boom in artificial intelligence data centers (AIDCs), it currently takes an average of 3 years for ultra-high voltage transformers to be delivered after ordering, and up to 4 to 5 years at the maximum.
As the backlash centered around the opposition party, the People Power Party, it spread into a political battle.
Minister Kim said that there will be no disruption to the schedule even if new transformers are ordered and installed in the Honam Semiconductor Industrial Complex power grid. However, no specific plan was proposed.
Regarding the expansion of the East Seoul Transformation Station in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, which has been delayed for a long time due to opposition from residents, Minister Kim said, "We will be able to reach an agreement at an understandable level with residents in some way in November," but added, "It is not a situation where we can just wait, so we will do our best to discuss until this month and if not possible, we will have to take legal procedures."
This suggests the possibility of applying mandatory provisions under the National Basic Electricity Grid Act.
The National Basic Power Grid Act requires the Minister of Climate Change to listen to the opinions of local government heads when approving a power grid project implementation plan, and if the local government does not provide an opinion within 60 days, it is considered to have been consulted. In addition, it is deemed that a building permit, etc. has been obtained upon approval of the implementation plan.
This is a regulation to prevent local governments, conscious of opposition from residents, from blocking project progress by not granting necessary permits.
The East Seoul Converter is the final destination on the metropolitan area of the ‘East Coast-Metropolitan High Voltage Direct Current Transmission (HVDC) Line’, which transfers electricity produced from nuclear power plants and thermal power plants on the East Coast to the metropolitan area.
Construction was originally supposed to be completed in 2019, but it has been delayed due to opposition from residents raising issues about electromagnetic waves, safety, and scenery.
On this day, Minister Kim also visited the Dongbok Dam in Hwasun-gun, Gwangju, Jeollanam-do, where expansion is being planned to supply water for industrial use at the Honam semiconductor industrial complex, and met with residents who will have to relocate due to the expansion. It is estimated that about 280 households will have to leave their homes due to the expansion of Dongbok Dam, many of whom were previously forced to leave their hometowns due to the construction of Dongbok Dam.
