To: Reporters (Society / Environment / Politics Desk)
From: Energy Transition Forum
Release Date: February 11, 2026 (Wed)
Even Without Yongin Industrial Complex Demand, Power Supply in the Seoul Metropolitan Area Has Already Reached Its Limit — Dispersing Industrial Locations Is the Only Solution
3rd National Assembly Forum on RE100 Industrial Complexes: “Strong Market Signals Such as Differentiated Retail Electricity Pricing Are Needed”
Co-hosted by the Energy Transition Forum, Climate & Ecology Alliance, and KBS Mokpo Broadcasting Station…
The Limits of Power Supply in the Capital Region Are Not Just a Yongin Issue but Reflect Structural Contradictions in the National Energy System
Electricity-intensive industries such as data centers should relocate to regions rich in renewable energy
The Energy Transition Forum (Co-Chair Yoon Soonjin), together with the Climate & Ecology Alliance and KBS Mokpo Broadcasting Station, co-hosted the “3rd Forum on RE100 Industrial Complexes and Corporate Attraction for Carbon Neutrality and Balanced Growth” on February 11 at 2 PM at the National Assembly Library Small Auditorium (B1). Members of the National Assembly Kim Won-i, Seo Wang-jin, Yoon Jong-o, Jeon Jong-deok, and Jung Hye-kyung, along with the Green Energy Strategy Institute and the Korea Center for Sustainable Development, participated in the event.
■ Capital Region Power Supply Structure: “Already at Its Limit Even Without Demand from the Yongin Industrial Complex”
Professor Younghwan Jeon of the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Hongik University, who delivered the keynote presentation, analyzed electricity demand and transmission grid conditions in the Seoul metropolitan area under the theme “Power Supply Issues in the Capital Region: Not Just a Yongin Industrial Complex Problem.” He noted that peak electricity demand in the capital region has already reached 45GW, and even without new demand from the Yongin semiconductor cluster, more than 12GW of additional capacity will be required due to the energy transition for carbon neutrality (including renewable energy supply plans) and the electrification of heating systems currently powered by city gas (heat pumps).
He also pointed out that attempting to resolve the issue solely through expansion of transmission infrastructure, while electricity demand remains heavily concentrated in the capital region, entails not only social conflict and increased costs but also technical risks, including reduced grid stability resulting from the growing share of inverter-based resources such as renewable energy and HVDC systems.
■ “Market Mechanisms Such as Differentiated Retail Pricing Needed to Distribute Electricity Demand”
As a solution, Professor Jeon emphasized the need to abandon the assumption that electricity should be supplied under identical conditions everywhere and instead transition toward a “local production for local consumption” system that aligns power generation with consumption locations. He stated that continued concentration of large-scale electricity loads in the capital region is no longer feasible and called for strong market price signals, including:
▲ Introduction of region-based differentiated retail electricity pricing centered on power generation areas
▲ Development of regional RE100 industrial complexes and reinforcement of local power grids
to encourage companies to voluntarily relocate to regions with surplus electricity capacity.
■ Panel Discussion: “Sufficient Regional RE100 Resources - Price Signals Must Drive Corporate Movement”
The panel discussion featured Professor Soonhyung Lee (Dongshin University), Soyoung Kang (Secretary-General, Jeonju Sustainable Development Council), Hyungkeun Kim (Representative, Ulsan Energy Transition Network), Kwanghoon Seok (Senior Advisor, Energy Transition Forum), Hyoeun Lee (Associate Research Fellow, Green Energy Strategy Institute), Sangbok Lee (Senior Reporter, E2News), and Jeongsoo Kwak (Senior Journalist, Hankyoreh Economy & Society Research Institute).
Regional panelists highlighted the abundant renewable energy potential in their respective areas and proposed specific models for RE100 industrial complexes. Professor Lee emphasized that the Gwangju–Jeonnam region possesses renewable energy potential of up to 15GW, making it the only viable physical alternative for semiconductor industrial complexes. Secretary-General Kang proposed a power supply strategy based on agrivoltaic solar projects in Saemangeum, while Representative Kim introduced a distributed energy special zone model utilizing floating offshore wind power in Ulsan.
Representative Kim stated that constructing 6.2GW of floating offshore wind capacity in Ulsan could supply electricity to approximately 5.5 million households across five cities and provinces in the Yeongnam region. He also revealed plans for a “citizen wind dividend” through various development models, including citizen participation, local government participation, and local government-led scenarios.
Energy experts called for strong market signals to promote regional diversification of corporate investment. Advisor Seok noted that Sweden introduced a regional pricing system (LMP) after experiencing blackouts due to high electricity demand and low self-sufficiency in its southern capital region, which led to the relocation of electricity-intensive industries such as chemicals, steel, and data centers to northern regions. He stressed that Korea must also confront the physical limitations of its power grid. Associate Research Fellow Lee defined the RE100 industrial complex discussion as a national-level structural transformation involving the reconfiguration of both the power system and industrial spatial planning, rather than merely attracting factories to regional areas. She emphasized that transparent reflection of electricity and carbon costs is necessary to enable companies to independently choose distributed locations.
■ Professor Jongho Hong: “Supply-Oriented Policies Have Reached Their Limit - Demand Must Be Distributed Through Market Signals”
Professor Jongho Hong of the Graduate School of Environmental Studies at Seoul National University, who served as moderator, concluded the discussion by stating that the capital region’s power shortage has reached a physical limit and that supply-oriented approaches such as expanding transmission networks are no longer sufficient solutions.
He emphasized that a paradigm shift in which electricity production locations become industrial locations is both a matter of corporate survival and national competitiveness, and that the government must make policy decisions to distribute demand through clear market signals such as differentiated pricing systems.
■ “Beyond a Capital-Centered System Toward Balanced Development Through Local Energy Production and Consumption”
In her welcoming remarks, Chunyi Kim, Representative of the Climate & Ecology Alliance, stated that although power generation sources are geographically dispersed, demand remains concentrated in the capital region, making it difficult to achieve genuine distributed energy even with expanded transmission infrastructure. She emphasized that discussions on RE100 industrial complexes integrating demand distribution and energy transition should mark the beginning of a genuine effort toward balanced national development.
Kwangjin Kim, Director of KBS Mokpo Broadcasting Station, expressed hope that the forum would bring public attention to energy imbalances between the capital region and other areas while highlighting the renewable energy potential of regions such as Jeonnam, Jeonbuk, and the Busan–Ulsan–Gyeongnam area. He further suggested that local governments should adopt bold and proactive strategies to attract global companies by preparing comprehensive infrastructure — including industrial sites, electricity pricing, water resources, and talent development.
■ Climate & Ecology Alliance: “RE100 Discussions Connecting Policy and Practice Will Continue”
The Climate & Ecology Alliance, which organized the forum, has emphasized through its founding statements the need for concrete measures such as realistic electricity pricing, region-based differentiated tariffs, and expanded renewable energy deployment. The Energy Transition Forum and the Climate & Ecology Alliance plan to continue follow-up research and on-site discussions to further develop RE100 industrial complex models and establish region-specific implementation strategies following this third forum.
[Contact]
Jaemin Lim, Secretary General | +82-10-2028-0595 | jm@energytransitionkorea.org
Jina Park, Communications Advisor | +82-10-7244-1717 | gina@energytransitionkorea.org
To: Reporters (Society / Environment / Politics Desk)
From: Energy Transition Forum
Release Date: February 11, 2026 (Wed)
Even Without Yongin Industrial Complex Demand, Power Supply in the Seoul Metropolitan Area Has Already Reached Its Limit — Dispersing Industrial Locations Is the Only Solution
3rd National Assembly Forum on RE100 Industrial Complexes: “Strong Market Signals Such as Differentiated Retail Electricity Pricing Are Needed”
Co-hosted by the Energy Transition Forum, Climate & Ecology Alliance, and KBS Mokpo Broadcasting Station…
The Limits of Power Supply in the Capital Region Are Not Just a Yongin Issue but Reflect Structural Contradictions in the National Energy System
Electricity-intensive industries such as data centers should relocate to regions rich in renewable energy
The Energy Transition Forum (Co-Chair Yoon Soonjin), together with the Climate & Ecology Alliance and KBS Mokpo Broadcasting Station, co-hosted the “3rd Forum on RE100 Industrial Complexes and Corporate Attraction for Carbon Neutrality and Balanced Growth” on February 11 at 2 PM at the National Assembly Library Small Auditorium (B1). Members of the National Assembly Kim Won-i, Seo Wang-jin, Yoon Jong-o, Jeon Jong-deok, and Jung Hye-kyung, along with the Green Energy Strategy Institute and the Korea Center for Sustainable Development, participated in the event.
■ Capital Region Power Supply Structure: “Already at Its Limit Even Without Demand from the Yongin Industrial Complex”
Professor Younghwan Jeon of the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Hongik University, who delivered the keynote presentation, analyzed electricity demand and transmission grid conditions in the Seoul metropolitan area under the theme “Power Supply Issues in the Capital Region: Not Just a Yongin Industrial Complex Problem.” He noted that peak electricity demand in the capital region has already reached 45GW, and even without new demand from the Yongin semiconductor cluster, more than 12GW of additional capacity will be required due to the energy transition for carbon neutrality (including renewable energy supply plans) and the electrification of heating systems currently powered by city gas (heat pumps).
He also pointed out that attempting to resolve the issue solely through expansion of transmission infrastructure, while electricity demand remains heavily concentrated in the capital region, entails not only social conflict and increased costs but also technical risks, including reduced grid stability resulting from the growing share of inverter-based resources such as renewable energy and HVDC systems.
■ “Market Mechanisms Such as Differentiated Retail Pricing Needed to Distribute Electricity Demand”
As a solution, Professor Jeon emphasized the need to abandon the assumption that electricity should be supplied under identical conditions everywhere and instead transition toward a “local production for local consumption” system that aligns power generation with consumption locations. He stated that continued concentration of large-scale electricity loads in the capital region is no longer feasible and called for strong market price signals, including:
▲ Introduction of region-based differentiated retail electricity pricing centered on power generation areas
▲ Development of regional RE100 industrial complexes and reinforcement of local power grids
to encourage companies to voluntarily relocate to regions with surplus electricity capacity.
■ Panel Discussion: “Sufficient Regional RE100 Resources - Price Signals Must Drive Corporate Movement”
The panel discussion featured Professor Soonhyung Lee (Dongshin University), Soyoung Kang (Secretary-General, Jeonju Sustainable Development Council), Hyungkeun Kim (Representative, Ulsan Energy Transition Network), Kwanghoon Seok (Senior Advisor, Energy Transition Forum), Hyoeun Lee (Associate Research Fellow, Green Energy Strategy Institute), Sangbok Lee (Senior Reporter, E2News), and Jeongsoo Kwak (Senior Journalist, Hankyoreh Economy & Society Research Institute).
Regional panelists highlighted the abundant renewable energy potential in their respective areas and proposed specific models for RE100 industrial complexes. Professor Lee emphasized that the Gwangju–Jeonnam region possesses renewable energy potential of up to 15GW, making it the only viable physical alternative for semiconductor industrial complexes. Secretary-General Kang proposed a power supply strategy based on agrivoltaic solar projects in Saemangeum, while Representative Kim introduced a distributed energy special zone model utilizing floating offshore wind power in Ulsan.
Representative Kim stated that constructing 6.2GW of floating offshore wind capacity in Ulsan could supply electricity to approximately 5.5 million households across five cities and provinces in the Yeongnam region. He also revealed plans for a “citizen wind dividend” through various development models, including citizen participation, local government participation, and local government-led scenarios.
Energy experts called for strong market signals to promote regional diversification of corporate investment. Advisor Seok noted that Sweden introduced a regional pricing system (LMP) after experiencing blackouts due to high electricity demand and low self-sufficiency in its southern capital region, which led to the relocation of electricity-intensive industries such as chemicals, steel, and data centers to northern regions. He stressed that Korea must also confront the physical limitations of its power grid. Associate Research Fellow Lee defined the RE100 industrial complex discussion as a national-level structural transformation involving the reconfiguration of both the power system and industrial spatial planning, rather than merely attracting factories to regional areas. She emphasized that transparent reflection of electricity and carbon costs is necessary to enable companies to independently choose distributed locations.
■ Professor Jongho Hong: “Supply-Oriented Policies Have Reached Their Limit - Demand Must Be Distributed Through Market Signals”
Professor Jongho Hong of the Graduate School of Environmental Studies at Seoul National University, who served as moderator, concluded the discussion by stating that the capital region’s power shortage has reached a physical limit and that supply-oriented approaches such as expanding transmission networks are no longer sufficient solutions.
He emphasized that a paradigm shift in which electricity production locations become industrial locations is both a matter of corporate survival and national competitiveness, and that the government must make policy decisions to distribute demand through clear market signals such as differentiated pricing systems.
■ “Beyond a Capital-Centered System Toward Balanced Development Through Local Energy Production and Consumption”
In her welcoming remarks, Chunyi Kim, Representative of the Climate & Ecology Alliance, stated that although power generation sources are geographically dispersed, demand remains concentrated in the capital region, making it difficult to achieve genuine distributed energy even with expanded transmission infrastructure. She emphasized that discussions on RE100 industrial complexes integrating demand distribution and energy transition should mark the beginning of a genuine effort toward balanced national development.
Kwangjin Kim, Director of KBS Mokpo Broadcasting Station, expressed hope that the forum would bring public attention to energy imbalances between the capital region and other areas while highlighting the renewable energy potential of regions such as Jeonnam, Jeonbuk, and the Busan–Ulsan–Gyeongnam area. He further suggested that local governments should adopt bold and proactive strategies to attract global companies by preparing comprehensive infrastructure — including industrial sites, electricity pricing, water resources, and talent development.
■ Climate & Ecology Alliance: “RE100 Discussions Connecting Policy and Practice Will Continue”
The Climate & Ecology Alliance, which organized the forum, has emphasized through its founding statements the need for concrete measures such as realistic electricity pricing, region-based differentiated tariffs, and expanded renewable energy deployment. The Energy Transition Forum and the Climate & Ecology Alliance plan to continue follow-up research and on-site discussions to further develop RE100 industrial complex models and establish region-specific implementation strategies following this third forum.
[Contact]
Jaemin Lim, Secretary General | +82-10-2028-0595 | jm@energytransitionkorea.org
Jina Park, Communications Advisor | +82-10-7244-1717 | gina@energytransitionkorea.org