Recruiting target areas of the project to transform rural villages into clean energy-based communities
Public Relations Division
2022.09.05
382
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (Minister Chung Hwang-keun, MAFRA) made an announcement to cities and guns in rural areas that it is recruiting target areas of "2023 Agricultural and Rural RE 100 Demonstration Project" from September 5 (Monday) to October 14 (Friday). * RE100: Acronym of Renewable Energy 100% with the meaning of sourcing 100% renewable energy.
"Agricultural and Rural RE100 Demonstration Project" aims to verify if rural villages can be transformed into carbon neutral communities by converting rural communities’ energy use into clean energy through the production of renewable energy such as solar power; and by reducing energy waste through projects designed for efficient energy use.
Rural communities participating in this project will receive two years of support for energy efficient remodeling to reduce energy waste through (1) the consulting service on energy usage of rural villages, (2) the establishment of a power station (village power station) of renewable energy such as solar power on vacant lands, (3) the establishment of renewable energy stations for self-consumption at houses and agricultural processing∙distribution facilities, and (4) the establishment of improved insulation, windows and doors and renewable energy stations at common facilities including senior citizens' centers and town halls.
Two years of project is expected to contribute to making cleaner and carbon neutral rural communities by reducing carbon emissions caused by energy use. Rural residents will be able to reduce the use of energy and electricity and heating costs as a result, thanks to renewable energy generation and reduced heat loss.
Also, this project includes the establishment of village-based power stations operated∙managed collectively by rural residents. The revenue generated from such power stations can be used for public interest, for example, to support energy vulnerable people or as a village development fund.
In 2023, four cities and guns in rural areas will be selected through public recruitment procedures. The finally selected four rural areas will receive KRW 1,786 million of government fund (50~100% funded by the government) for 2 years.
Rural areas wishing to be part of the "Agricultural and Rural RE100 Demonstration Project" may submit project applications to the Rural Renewable Energy Team of MAFRA within the designated period. The Ministry will establish a selection committee with relevant experts in renewable energy and rural affairs and will assess willingness of the local governments and rural residents to promote the project, along with the feasibility study, etc. Then, the committee will select the final target areas in November.
Director Yoon Gwang-il of the Rural Renewable Energy Team said, “We would like to ask for the local governments’ keen interest and participation in the "Agricultural and Rural RE100 Demonstration Project" to create clean and carbon neutral rural communities with less concerns over energy cost.”