Anin power station
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Anin power station (강릉 안인) is an operating power station of at least 2080-megawatts (MW) in Gangneung, Gangwon, South Korea. It is also known as Gnagneung, Gangreung Anin, 강릉 안인, Gangnung Anin.
Location
Table 1: Project-level location details
| Plant name | Location | Coordinates (WGS 84) |
|---|---|---|
| Anin power station | Gangneung, Gangwon, South Korea | 37.733159, 128.979405 (exact) |
The map below shows the exact location of the power station.
Unit-level coordinates (WGS 84):
- Unit 1, Unit 2: 37.733159, 128.979405
Project Details
Table 2: Unit-level details
| Unit name | Status | Fuel(s) | Capacity (MW) | Technology | Start year | Retired year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | operating | coal: unknown | 1040 | ultra-supercritical | 2022 | 2052 (planned) |
| Unit 2 | operating[1] | coal: unknown | 1040 | ultra-supercritical | 2023 | 2052 (planned) |
Table 3: Unit-level ownership and operator details
| Unit name | Owner | Parent |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Gangneung Eco Power Co Ltd [100%] | other [42.0%]; Korea Electric Power Corp [29.0%]; Samsung C&T Corp [29.0%] |
| Unit 2 | Gangneung Eco Power Co Ltd [100%] | other [42.0%]; Korea Electric Power Corp [29.0%]; Samsung C&T Corp [29.0%] |
Background
The Anin Thermoelectric Power Plant is proposed to be located just south of the city of Gangneung in Gangwon Province, South Korea. It would consist of two 1,040 MW ultra-supercritical units, which were initially planned to be completed in 2019 and 2020.[2][3]
The project was permitted in October 2015. In January 2017 it was reported that the plant was held up due to ongoing disputes over land compensation. Gangneung Eco Power said the company expected construction to begin the first half of the year and be completed by 2022. The Kangnung Environmental Movement Coalition and some members of the parliament of the Gangneung City Council are calling for the construction plan to be canceled.[4]
As of November 2022, Unit 1 was in commercial operation. [5]
Units 1 and 2 are scheduled to close by 2052.[6]
Possible cancellation or replacement with gas
With the election of Moon Jae-in as president in May 2017 it is unclear the project will go forward, as he campaigned on suspending coal-fired power plants less than 10 percent into construction, which would include Anin.[7][8] Plant sponsors argue the license application has been made and development is 14% complete, and the plant should therefore be exempted from any suspension on coal plant construction. However, the plant has yet to be licensed and, as of May 2017, no construction has begun.[9]
In September 2017 the government released a statement saying it will push to transform coal-fired power plants less than 10% constructed into LNG-fired power turbines.[10]
Construction begins, coal plant allowed
In June 2017 it was reported that the plant was under construction and 15% complete, and therefore exempt from the government's plan to convert coal units less than 10% complete to gas.[11]
In March 2018, Samsung was awarded the contract to construct the plant.[12]
Operation is planned for 2023.[13] In June 2020, it was reported the plant was 45% complete.[14]
As of August 2021, the power plant was 80% complete. In September 2021, there were disagreements over a 156.4 billion won budget prepared by the government and industry to help support the community impacted by the proposal.[15] The plant’s costs also increased due to defaults from subcontractors and other issues.[16]
In January 2022, the plant was 90% complete. Unit 1 was reportedly coming online by September 2022.[17] Port facilities were also designated for the plant, which were to be built by Gangneung Eco Power.[18]
In September 2022, Gangneung Eco Power announced that the project was several months behind schedule. The delay was caused by the trial operation period, which began in November 2021, being prolonged. At this time, Unit 1 was expected in November 2022 and Unit 2 was expected in March 2023.[19]
In November 2022, Unit 1 achieved commercial operation.[5]
Following an incident of spontaneous combustion at an indoor coal storage facility in March 2023, it was announced that construction of Unit 2 would be delayed by an additional 9 months. [20] It was reported that even if the second phase (Unit 2) was to be completed, it remained "difficult to operate the first phase normally due to the lack of transmission lines to carry the generated power."[20]
In April 2023, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy registered a notice of change in the project implementation plan for Units 1 and 2, with the public note that information about "facilities that are closely related to public interests and safety, such as electricity, telecommunications, and gas, are classified as restricted for disclosure." [21]
Storage fire and construction accidents in 2023
In March 2023, a "naturally occurring fire" erupted in an indoor coal storage facility at the plant, emitting "smoke and combustion gases mixed with a strong odor." [22] Plant operators explained that delays in commissioning for Unit 2 were responsible for spontaneous combustion in the storage facility.
In June 2023, it was reported that a fatal accident had occurred at the power station's construction site, bringing the number of construction workers killed on site to four.[23]
Transmission line hurdles limit operational capacity
News in September 2023 announced that both units had begun commercial operation, but were not operating at optimal capacity due to continued transmission line issues.[24] One report stated that although the project had entered commercial operation, transmission constraints had halted energy generation and the project was only receiving "capacity compensation" (Google Translate).[25][26]
From March 2024 onward, the power station was forced to remain shut off due to the ongoing transmission line constraints.[27][28] According to reports, the power station was suffering losses of six billion won per day of halted operation.[29]
Opposition
In January 2021, sponsor Gangneung Eco Power, proposal developer Samsung C&T, Aninjin fishing village, and the Gangneung City Conflict Mediation Committee reached an agreement regarding compensation for fishing rights by the proposed plant, 6 years after conflicts first started. However, in August 2021, the Aninjin fishing village announced it would resume shellfish net operations in the waters by the plant’s construction, creating additional conflict.[30]
In September 2021, civic groups held a press conference against construction of the plant. They noted that the plant will emit about 15.3 million tons of greenhouse gas annually, which is more than the 12.25 million tons of greenhouse gas that the current government is planning to reduce by spending 73 trillion won over five years through its Green New Deal. In other words, it would be more effective and reasonable to stop the construction of coal-fired power plants than to spend money on other initiatives. They also highlighted the plant is expected to emit 2,764 tons of air pollutants annually, leading to 1,050 premature deaths over its potential 30-year lifetime.[15]
In February 2022, Justice Party presidential candidate Shim Sang-jung stated that she would shut down the Anin power plant and replace it with a National Renewable Energy Research Center in Gangneung. She noted that the construction of the project was counter-intuitive to the Republic's environmental goals.[31]
In May 2022, Gangneung mayoral candidate Kim Woo-young held a press conference at the main gate of the Anin power station complex. He urged for the coal plant to be cancelled, despite the fact that it was only months away from completion. He called for the government to immediately halt construction and find alternative energy, noting the 'large amount' of black smoke emitted from the plant during test operation.[32]
Pollution and displacement of residents
After commissioning of the first unit, residents complained that black smoke was constantly surrounding the area, with one resident stating: "Daily life is impossible due to the pollution generated from the power plant." [22]
In May 2023, it was reported that a member of the Gangneung City Council was making recommendations to evacuate and relocate residents due to the health risks posed by living in such proximity to the largest coal-fired power plant in Korea. [33] The city council member warned:
"Recently announced health status surveys in areas around coal-fired power plants across the country confirm health risks caused by coal-fired power plants, and more and more generations want to relocate because residents cannot live a daily life due to pollution from power plants." [33]
Coastal erosion
In March 2024, local residents and ecological experts attributed coastal erosion and dune degradation to the power station's construction.[34] Residents from five nearby villages reportedly launched a counter-measure committee that month to formally file complaints against the power station.[35]
Financing
In May 2018, financing for the project was closed. 34 financial institutions provided debt financing in the amount of KRW 4.7 trillion (approx US$4.2 billion).[36] Groups that provided loans to the power station included:
- DB Insurance: KRW 90 billion (US$81 million)[37]
- KB Securities: KRW 300 billion (US$270 million)[37]
- Korean Federation of Community Credit Cooperatives: KRW 32 billion (US$29 million)[37]
- Kookmin Bank: KRW 105.2 billion (US$94 million)[37]
- National Agricultural Cooperative Federation: KRW 100 billion (US$90 million)[37]
- Nonghyup Group: KRW 100 billion (US$90 million)[37]
Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance and KB Insurance provided both underwriting and project finance for the project, although exact amounts are uncertain.[37]
Articles and Resources
References
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20240125130437/https://www.kado.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=1202142. Archived from the original on 25 January 2024.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ "Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Wins 710 Billion Won Order for Domestic Power Plant," Business Korea, Apr 2, 2015
- ↑ "HHIC ready to seal onshore plant deal," KOMEC, 2015-09-23
- ↑ "강릉 안인 화력발전소 건설사업 추진 '탄력," Yonhap News, January 18, 2017
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 “강릉 안인화력발전소 마무리… 인력유출 가속화,” kwnews, November 29, 2022
- ↑ Assessing the Health Benefits of a Paris-Aligned Coal Phase Out for South Korea, Annex II (Unit-level phase out schedules), Climate Analytics, May 2021
- ↑ "S. Korea’s coal-fired power plant builders at risk of losing millions," Pulse, 2017.05.17
- ↑ "3개 정당 대선후보, 강릉화력발전소 건설 백지화 찬성," Gangwon Future Newspaper, April 26, 2017
- ↑ "R삼척원전 백지화 확실시-투,"] MBC, May 11, 2017
- ↑ "S Korea to tackle pollution by cutting coal, diesel use, switching to LNG," Platts, 26 Sep 2017
- ↑ "강릉안인화력발전소, LNG전환 NO~ 석탄화력발전소 YES," 강릉시의회 자유한국당 기자회견, June 5, 2017
- ↑ "삼성물산, 3조7800억 규모 강릉안인화력 발전소 건설 계약 체결," Newsis, 2018-01-03
- ↑ "[강릉소식 안인 화력발전 민원 총괄 지원본부 구성,"] 송고시, 2020-02-05
- ↑ "신규 민간 석탄발전소 건설은 속도 붙는데… 표준투자비 책정 논의는 '제자리'," cnews.co.kr, 2020-06-10
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 "길 닦고 컨벤션 센터 짓는데 1564억원? 강릉 안인화력 지원금 용처 갈등,” Hani, September 2, 2021
- ↑ “'탈 석탄' 삼성물산, '석탄'에 단단히 발목 잡혔다,” Bizwatch, October 28, 2021
- ↑ “강릉 안인화전 9월 상업운전 시작…지역인재 채용 얼마나,” Fnnews, January 19, 2022
- ↑ “강릉안인화력발전소 항만시설 지정 고시,” NewsPim, January 12, 2022
- ↑ “강릉안인석탄화전, 상업운전 당초 계획 보다 늦춰진다,” 강원도 미니일보, September 14, 2022
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 “Gangneung Anin units 1 and 2 project period extended by 9 months until the end of the year,”E2 News, April 16, 2023
- ↑ “전원개발실시계획 변경신고 수리,” Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, April 12, 2023
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 “우려가 현실로…강릉 안인화력발전소 주민피해 심각" KW News, April 7, 2023
- ↑ 강릉 발전소 건설현장 사망사고 네 번째" 철저한 조사·책임자 처벌 촉구, Nocutnews, June 8, 2023
- ↑ 안인화전 “송전선로 부족, 전력 생산해도 적자” Kado News, Sept. 5, 2023
- ↑ 비오는 삼척블루파워 앞에서 “화석연료의 종말”을 외치다, M.Khan.Co.Kr, Sept. 25, 2023
- ↑ 민자 석탄발전소 투자비 보상논의 장기화, E2 News, Sept. 3, 2023
- ↑ 멈춰선 동해안 화력발전소들... "정부 에너지 정책이 문제", OhmyNews, August 24, 2024
- ↑ 송전탑 못세워… 동해안 발전소 불 꺼졌다, Gangwon Daily, July 23, 2024
- ↑ “전기 생산해도 보낼 수 없어”…동해안권 석탄 발전소 송전망 대란 ‘심각’, KwNews Corp, May 2, 2024
- ↑ “끝난 줄 알았는데... 강릉안인발전소 건설 또 갈등,” Oh My News, August 6, 2021
- ↑ “강릉 찾은 심상정 “안인화력발전소 건설 전면 백지화”,” Khan, February 28, 2022
- ↑ “김우영 강릉시장 후보 "안인화력발전소 건설 중단하라",” No Cut News, May 22, 2022
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 “이용래 강릉시의원 “안인화전 인접 당해마을 이주대책 필요,” Kado.net, May 26, 2023
- ↑ "참담합니다" 강릉 바다 보고 탄식한 전문가, OhMyNews, March 15, 2024
- ↑ 강릉 안인화력발전소 인접 5개 마을, 주민대책위원회 출범, KW News, March 24, 2024
- ↑ "Korea's Largest Project Financing Transaction to Date for Gangneung Coal Thermal Power Plant Project". May 18, 2018.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 37.4 37.5 37.6 Tracing 12 Years of Korea’s Coal Finance Addiction, Korea Sustainability Investing Forum, Jan. 2021
Additional data
To access additional data, including an interactive map of coal-fired power stations, a downloadable dataset, and summary data, please visit the Global Coal Plant Tracker on the Global Energy Monitor website.
