Session 1-2
	Construction of “Solar City, Gwangju” - Outline of the Plan, Achievements to Date and Future Agenda 　Mr. SHIN, Yangwoo, Dept. of Economy and Commerce, Gwangju Metropolitan City, Korea

　Gwangju: Solar-Powered City

The driving force behind the ‘Gwangju: Solar-Powered City’ Plan was the people of Guangju, who changed their way of thinking about environmental pollution and energy depletion. They came to understand that these problems should be addressed at local level as well as on the international scale. Moreover, the 1997 economic crisis in Korea encouraged moves to establish a sustainable energy system and to develop renewable energy, and local initiatives for solving environmental problems.

Going parallel to the new national energy policy (which sets the target that the ratio of alternative energy supply should reach 2% of the total by 2003, and that solar power generators for domestic use (3kW) should be installed in 30,000 houses by 2010), the ‘Gwangju: Solar-Powered City’ Plan was developed as the city’s own original energy plan for making use of local resources.


Solar Energy Covers 1% of the Total Electricity Use in the City

Since early times, Gwangju has been called the ‘city of light’. One survey actually shows that the amount of sunlight received in Gwangju is greater than the other Korean cities, therefore making it the ideal place to utilize solar power. The target of the plan is to establish a green city in harmony with its environment while tapping the natural energy that exists in the local community.

The principal target is ‘to replace at least 2% of the total energy supply with alternative energy’, and the concrete action programs cover the following three areas - (i) increasing facilities using solar energy; (ii) promoting solar-related industries; (iii) providing infrastructure and an environment suitable for a ‘solar-powered city’ with 14-point agenda to be addressed.

For Action Program I, we aim at replacing 1% of the energy use for the household, commerce, public sectors with solar energy (0.2% as of December 2003).

For Action Program II, we have already funded 24 corporations with 2 billion won in total, and with the cooperation of the central government, 3 or 4 selected corporations obtain support every year.

For Action Program III, a plan has been drawn up to furnish 10,000 buildings with a solar-powered hot water system, and to install 1,000 solar power generators. With help from a government subsidy, these have been set up in parks in 10 places, in public buildings (including the City Hall) in 26 places, in social welfare service facilities in 33 places and in ordinary houses in 8 places. As model solar-houses, 60 buildings including student housings have been converted, which saved energy amounting 700kW. To increase citizens’ awareness and understanding, exhibitions on solar power are organized, and solar-powered street lamps have been erected.

Gwangju has been designated by the Korean government as a model city for solar energy, and currently 9 projects are being implemented, including the construction and management of a solar energy demonstration & research complex, and the development of ‘Green Village’. For the latter project, 5.3 billion won have been invested in order to build 111 houses which will be provided with solar power generators (150kW) and a solar hot water system (15,000litter). The project is expected to be completed in June 2004, and the very first solar-powered houses in Korea will make their public debut. Through these activities, Gwangju will promote tourism as well as enhancing its reputation as an international solar-powered city. Both the City Council and the private sector have invested in these projects, to a total of 41.5 billion won.
　

Proposal for an Ordinance Calling for Citizens’ Participation

There are several issues to be addressed in the future. The first one is to activate the local economy through promotion of the solar energy industry.

The second is to improve the city’s image, in accordance with its title of a ‘solar-powered city’. The visit to Kuzumaki Town taught us that environmental initiatives can help here, too. We will also make efforts in promoting awareness activities with the cooperation of local industries, and aim at becoming the center of solar energy use in Korea.

The third issue is how to develop and manage support programs to encourage the participation of local residents. Voluntary participation is given special attention. Therefore the programs which help produce an atmosphere to attract people should be developed. There is also a proposal for an ordinance which supports citizens’ activities so that administrators and citizens can work together more effectively.