Saemangeum development plan targets 10GW renewable energy expansion

The Saemangeum Development Agency has unveiled a revised master plan to transform Saemangeum into a West Coast mega-economic hub focused on future industries and clean energy. Key adjustments include reducing the planned reclamation area to 169.6 square kilometers by 2035 and expanding renewable energy capacity from 7GW to 10GW. The strategy aims to build an ecosystem for AI, robotics, and hydrogen, while establishing an RE100-based industrial complex to attract global corporations.

During a recent policy forum, environmental groups and experts raised concerns regarding the plan's sustainability. Discussions centered on the need for improved water quality management in Saemangeum Lake, the effective use of renewable energy for local consumption, and the potential ecological impact of reduced environmental preservation areas. Critics also questioned the feasibility of expanding industrial zones while simultaneously reducing budgets, suggesting that utilizing existing farmland might be more efficient than further tidal flat reclamation.