Opinion

Opinion

Gwangju Urban Corporation CEO Kim Seung-nam calls for an independent energy corporation to lead profit-sharing from agrivoltaics, citing a 1.2% renewables revenue share at Jeonnam Development Corporation

In a contributed column he urges the swift launch of a "Jeonnam-Gwangju Energy Corporation" as a public control tower to plan generation zones and sign direct power purchase agreements with global companies, saying it should not be judged on early financial self-sufficiency alone

2026.10.29

Opinion

"Citizens should own public car park solar, not just buy into a fund": Jang Si-jeong of Yeomjeongol Solar Cooperative calls for co-ops in Incheon's 40MW public SPC

Writer says Incheon plans to set up an SPC in the first half of 2027 and co-ops must be in from the design stage, citing a cooperative plant at Suwon's Dongbu bus depot; city council and citizen power co-op network are discussing a support ordinance

2026.10.29

Opinion

Jeju should set rules for returning renewable energy profits to residents first, local series argues, citing Sinan's sunlight and wind pensions that have passed 30 billion won

A 9.8 billion won state-funded distributed energy pilot favours households with EVs and their own roofs; bill savings and profit sharing need separate funding and principles, and distributable profit after costs must be defined

2026.10.29

Opinion

Encored CEO Choi Jong-woong urges a shift to a decentralised power system at a Naju forum, citing US CCAs to argue that local power income should be shared with residents

He named local generation and consumption as a condition for bringing the merged headquarters of the power generation companies to Naju; the keynote called for ride-through, black start and grid-forming technology, ample ESS and networked microgrids

2026.10.28

Opinion

Chungnam environmental group's energy transition team leader Jo Sun-hyeong proposes an ordinance for a permanent climate citizens' assembly in Dangjin

In a column he argues the 2027 second carbon neutrality master plan should be drawn up through a citizens' assembly, and makes four proposals including a just transition committee for coal power areas and a "Dangjin climate change story" learning resource

2026.10.23

Opinion

Seoul National University's Heo Eun-nyeong says developer-led solar has hit its limit, urges shift to home self-consumption and village self-reliance

Incoming head of the Korean Society for New and Renewable Energy proposes reviving direct household subsidies and wider energy autonomy for local governments; RPS to become a contract market next year

2026.10.22

Opinion

Daegu environment chief Cho Eun-hee calls for renewables growth that returns benefits to residents, highlights 72 Sunlight Income Villages in Daegu and North Gyeongsang

Renewable Energy Day column notes the region produces 14.9% of Korea's solar power and Daegu has completed 24 citizen solar plants; names transparent revenue sharing, resident consent and ecological protection as tasks

2026.10.22

Opinion

Guelph's former community energy manager rebuts mayor's claim that district energy failed in letter to the editor

Against the mayor's figures of $21 million in losses and $60 million in capital spending, the writer argues impairments were about $12 million and $60 million was an expansion estimate; downtown system sold in 2022 for $8 upfront; no response from the mayor's side published

2026.10.22

Opinion

Korea Polytechnics department head Kim Byung-jun argues stalled Ulsan offshore wind needs revenue sharing and community funds built in from the design stage

In an op-ed he traces setbacks to tangled upfront costs, interest rates, permitting, grid shortages and local acceptance, and proposes a standing body of local government, developers, local firms, universities and residents

2026.10.22

Opinion

"Sunlight income villages need benefit-sharing design before speed," writes Inha University's Kang Cheon-gu

Op-ed proposes disclosure, meaningful consent, early grid checks and a standard benefit-sharing model, with phased expansion after pilot villages

2026.10.21

Opinion

Citizen solar cooperatives need a place in competitive auction markets, writes Pocheon cooperative leader Oh Myeong-sil

Column cites a cooperative that built 642 kW with 750 members in four years, says auction volumes, price caps and scoring ignore small projects, and calls for safeguards for citizen participation

2026.10.08