“Solving the Metropolitan Power Crisis through RE100 Industrial Complexes”
Lawmakers and Industry Call for Passage of a Special Act
Attracting companies to renewable-rich regions to ease transmission conflicts — Industry urges swift legislation
The Energy Transition Forum (ETF), co-chaired by Yoon Soon-jin, held a policy forum titled “Renewable Energy Self-Sufficient Cities: Finding Solutions for Balanced National Development” on Monday, December 15, at 9:30 a.m. at the Small Auditorium of the National Assembly Library, jointly hosted with National Assembly Members Kim Won-yi, Kim Jung-ho, Ahn Ho-young, Shin Young-dae, and Jung Jin-wook.
At the forum, lawmakers, industry leaders, experts, and government officials agreed on the urgent need to enact a special act to promote renewable energy self-sufficient cities and establish RE100 industrial complexes.
■ RE100 Industrial Complexes: A Solution to Regional Decline and National Competitiveness
In his opening remarks, Assembly Member Kim Won-yi emphasized that renewable energy self-sufficient cities represent a strategy capable of addressing two major challenges simultaneously: energy transition and balanced national development.
He noted that this model can resolve imbalances between power-producing and power-consuming regions while enabling companies to meet RE100 commitments and revitalize local economies.
The co-hosting lawmakers echoed this view, stressing that renewable energy self-sufficient cities are a core strategy for both energy transition and regional balance, and called for the swift passage of related legislation.
Assembly Members Kim Jung-ho, Shin Young-dae, Jung Jin-wook, and Ahn Ho-young also highlighted the importance of regional development and energy independence, pledging institutional support for the creation of renewable energy self-sufficient cities and RE100 industrial complexes.
■ Mismatch Between Power Generation and Consumption Intensifies Grid Conflicts
Currently, 91% of Korea’s renewable energy generation capacity is located outside the metropolitan area, while 57% of the nation’s top 500 companies are concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan region.
This imbalance has led to severe transmission bottlenecks and escalating regional conflicts as electricity is transmitted from non-metropolitan areas to Seoul.
In the first presentation, Kim Seung-hee, Manager at KEI Consulting, explained that building new transmission lines entails enormous costs and social conflict, while large-scale renewable installations within the metropolitan area are constrained by limited land availability.
She emphasized that relocating companies to regions rich in renewable energy is the only realistic solution.
Kim proposed that a special act should provide integrated support across four key components: industrial and corporate zones, renewable energy cluster zones, distributed power grid zones, and residential support zones.
■ The Solaseado Case: Demonstrating the Potential of RE100 Industrial Complexes
In the second presentation, Yoon Eul-jin, Head of the Renewable Energy Division at BS Hanyang, shared the case of Solaseado in Haenam County, Jeollanam-do, a designated distributed energy special zone.
Solaseado is equipped with 5.4 GW of solar power capacity and a 154 kV substation, and gained national attention in October 2025 when a Samsung SDS-led consortium selected the site for Korea’s National AI Computing Center, positioning it as the country’s first RE100 industrial complex.
Yoon explained that power costs for companies can be significantly reduced through renewable energy hub terminals, integration with KEPCO’s grid, and the allowance of direct power purchase agreements.
■ Samsung SDS: “Urgent Legal Framework Needed for RE100 Industrial Complexes”
During the panel discussion, Bae Han-wook, Executive Vice President at Samsung SDS, stated that the potential designation as an RE100 industrial complex was a key consideration in selecting the site for the National AI Computing Center.
He noted that reduced electricity costs—one of the largest operational expenses for data centers—along with advantages in carbon regulation compliance and ESG management, were major incentives.
He stressed that laws and detailed enforcement regulations for RE100 industrial complexes must be developed without delay and expressed hope that the system will provide tangible benefits to participating companies.
The panel discussion featured Lee Young-tak (Vice President, SK Telecom), Cho Young-joon (Head of the Sustainable Management Institute, Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Han Byung-hwa (Director, Eugene Investment & Securities), Park Sang-in (Professor, Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Administration), Lee Jae-seok (Director, Industrial Location Division, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy), and Kwon Young-hee (Director, Distributed Energy Division, Ministry of Climate and Energy).
■ Renewable Energy Self-Sufficient Cities: A New Turning Point for Transition
Currently, five bills related to renewable energy self-sufficient cities—each sponsored by Assembly Members Kim Won-yi, Kim Jung-ho, Jung Jin-wook, Ahn Ho-young, and Shin Young-dae—are pending in the National Assembly.
ETF Co-Chair Yoon Soon-jin stated that Korea’s energy transition challenges are no longer future concerns but present realities.
While renewable energy demand continues to grow rapidly, structural issues such as grid congestion, industrial location imbalances between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, and corporate RE100 requirements are limiting the pace of transition.
She emphasized that the renewable energy self-sufficient city model integrates renewable energy supply, power grid expansion, industrial location planning, and residential infrastructure at the city level.
“This is not merely an energy policy,” she said, “but a comprehensive strategy to build new regional industrial ecosystems and achieve balanced national development.”
Yoon concluded that renewable energy cannot expand through technology alone; consistent institutions, credible policies, and active participation from industry and local communities are essential.
She expressed hope that the discussions would serve as a practical foundation for future legislation and policy design, leading to meaningful progress toward the realization of renewable energy self-sufficient cities.
[Event Information]
- Event Title: Renewable Energy Self-Sufficient Cities: Finding Solutions for Balanced National Development
- Date & Time: December 15, 2025 (Mon), 09:30–12:00
- Venue: Small Auditorium, National Assembly Library
- Hosts: Energy Transition Forum; National Assembly Members Kim Won-yi, Kim Jung-ho, Ahn Ho-young, Shin Young-dae, Jung Jin-wook
[Key Presentations]
Presentation 1: The Need for a Special Act to Establish Renewable Energy Self-Sufficient Cities and RE100 Industrial Complexes (Kim Seung-hee, Manager, KEI Consulting)
Presentation 2: Policy Challenges for Renewable Energy Self-Sufficient Cities Based on the Solaseado Distributed Energy Zone Case (Yoon Eul-jin, Head of Renewable Energy Division, BS Hanyang)
[Panel Discussion]
Moderator: Yoon Soon-jin (Co-Chair, Energy Transition Forum)
Panelists: Lee Young-tak (Vice President, SK Telecom)
Bae Han-wook (Executive Vice President, Samsung SDS)
Cho Young-joon (Head, Sustainable Management Institute, KCCI)
Han Byung-hwa (Director, Eugene Investment & Securities)
Park Sang-in (Professor, Seoul National University)
Lee Jae-seok (Director, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy)
Kwon Young-hee (Director, Ministry of Climate and Energy)
“Solving the Metropolitan Power Crisis through RE100 Industrial Complexes”
Lawmakers and Industry Call for Passage of a Special Act
Attracting companies to renewable-rich regions to ease transmission conflicts — Industry urges swift legislation
The Energy Transition Forum (ETF), co-chaired by Yoon Soon-jin, held a policy forum titled “Renewable Energy Self-Sufficient Cities: Finding Solutions for Balanced National Development” on Monday, December 15, at 9:30 a.m. at the Small Auditorium of the National Assembly Library, jointly hosted with National Assembly Members Kim Won-yi, Kim Jung-ho, Ahn Ho-young, Shin Young-dae, and Jung Jin-wook.
At the forum, lawmakers, industry leaders, experts, and government officials agreed on the urgent need to enact a special act to promote renewable energy self-sufficient cities and establish RE100 industrial complexes.
■ RE100 Industrial Complexes: A Solution to Regional Decline and National Competitiveness
In his opening remarks, Assembly Member Kim Won-yi emphasized that renewable energy self-sufficient cities represent a strategy capable of addressing two major challenges simultaneously: energy transition and balanced national development.
He noted that this model can resolve imbalances between power-producing and power-consuming regions while enabling companies to meet RE100 commitments and revitalize local economies.
The co-hosting lawmakers echoed this view, stressing that renewable energy self-sufficient cities are a core strategy for both energy transition and regional balance, and called for the swift passage of related legislation.
Assembly Members Kim Jung-ho, Shin Young-dae, Jung Jin-wook, and Ahn Ho-young also highlighted the importance of regional development and energy independence, pledging institutional support for the creation of renewable energy self-sufficient cities and RE100 industrial complexes.
■ Mismatch Between Power Generation and Consumption Intensifies Grid Conflicts
Currently, 91% of Korea’s renewable energy generation capacity is located outside the metropolitan area, while 57% of the nation’s top 500 companies are concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan region.
This imbalance has led to severe transmission bottlenecks and escalating regional conflicts as electricity is transmitted from non-metropolitan areas to Seoul.
In the first presentation, Kim Seung-hee, Manager at KEI Consulting, explained that building new transmission lines entails enormous costs and social conflict, while large-scale renewable installations within the metropolitan area are constrained by limited land availability.
She emphasized that relocating companies to regions rich in renewable energy is the only realistic solution.
Kim proposed that a special act should provide integrated support across four key components: industrial and corporate zones, renewable energy cluster zones, distributed power grid zones, and residential support zones.
■ The Solaseado Case: Demonstrating the Potential of RE100 Industrial Complexes
In the second presentation, Yoon Eul-jin, Head of the Renewable Energy Division at BS Hanyang, shared the case of Solaseado in Haenam County, Jeollanam-do, a designated distributed energy special zone.
Solaseado is equipped with 5.4 GW of solar power capacity and a 154 kV substation, and gained national attention in October 2025 when a Samsung SDS-led consortium selected the site for Korea’s National AI Computing Center, positioning it as the country’s first RE100 industrial complex.
Yoon explained that power costs for companies can be significantly reduced through renewable energy hub terminals, integration with KEPCO’s grid, and the allowance of direct power purchase agreements.
■ Samsung SDS: “Urgent Legal Framework Needed for RE100 Industrial Complexes”
During the panel discussion, Bae Han-wook, Executive Vice President at Samsung SDS, stated that the potential designation as an RE100 industrial complex was a key consideration in selecting the site for the National AI Computing Center.
He noted that reduced electricity costs—one of the largest operational expenses for data centers—along with advantages in carbon regulation compliance and ESG management, were major incentives.
He stressed that laws and detailed enforcement regulations for RE100 industrial complexes must be developed without delay and expressed hope that the system will provide tangible benefits to participating companies.
The panel discussion featured Lee Young-tak (Vice President, SK Telecom), Cho Young-joon (Head of the Sustainable Management Institute, Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Han Byung-hwa (Director, Eugene Investment & Securities), Park Sang-in (Professor, Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Administration), Lee Jae-seok (Director, Industrial Location Division, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy), and Kwon Young-hee (Director, Distributed Energy Division, Ministry of Climate and Energy).
■ Renewable Energy Self-Sufficient Cities: A New Turning Point for Transition
Currently, five bills related to renewable energy self-sufficient cities—each sponsored by Assembly Members Kim Won-yi, Kim Jung-ho, Jung Jin-wook, Ahn Ho-young, and Shin Young-dae—are pending in the National Assembly.
ETF Co-Chair Yoon Soon-jin stated that Korea’s energy transition challenges are no longer future concerns but present realities.
While renewable energy demand continues to grow rapidly, structural issues such as grid congestion, industrial location imbalances between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, and corporate RE100 requirements are limiting the pace of transition.
She emphasized that the renewable energy self-sufficient city model integrates renewable energy supply, power grid expansion, industrial location planning, and residential infrastructure at the city level.
“This is not merely an energy policy,” she said, “but a comprehensive strategy to build new regional industrial ecosystems and achieve balanced national development.”
Yoon concluded that renewable energy cannot expand through technology alone; consistent institutions, credible policies, and active participation from industry and local communities are essential.
She expressed hope that the discussions would serve as a practical foundation for future legislation and policy design, leading to meaningful progress toward the realization of renewable energy self-sufficient cities.
[Event Information]
[Key Presentations]
Presentation 1: The Need for a Special Act to Establish Renewable Energy Self-Sufficient Cities and RE100 Industrial Complexes (Kim Seung-hee, Manager, KEI Consulting)
Presentation 2: Policy Challenges for Renewable Energy Self-Sufficient Cities Based on the Solaseado Distributed Energy Zone Case (Yoon Eul-jin, Head of Renewable Energy Division, BS Hanyang)
[Panel Discussion]
Moderator: Yoon Soon-jin (Co-Chair, Energy Transition Forum)
Panelists: Lee Young-tak (Vice President, SK Telecom)
Bae Han-wook (Executive Vice President, Samsung SDS)
Cho Young-joon (Head, Sustainable Management Institute, KCCI)
Han Byung-hwa (Director, Eugene Investment & Securities)
Park Sang-in (Professor, Seoul National University)
Lee Jae-seok (Director, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy)
Kwon Young-hee (Director, Ministry of Climate and Energy)