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| A solar power complex in Hamyang, South Gyeongsang Province. Korea Times file |
Experts say investment in renewable energy must continue
By Lee Kyung-min
A slew of irregularities and alleged lax management of the renewable energy industry under the previous Moon Jae-in administration are fueling concerns that the entire green energy sector will become collateral damage and fall behind the country's advanced peers, experts said Tuesday.
Due punishment for any attempt to defraud the government's grant schemes or collusion among market participants is the right course of action, they say. However, painting renewables with a broad brush as a corrupt industry that sought illicit gains at the expense of other energy businesses, in their view, will result in the regression of the most hard-working power generation workers.
Also at stake is the competitive edge of the country's manufacturing industries whose strength will be determined not only by how stable and affordable their sources of power generation are, but also how environmentally friendly they plan to become.
Tightening scrutiny
President Yoon Suk-yeol criticized the irregularities under the previous administration, characterizing them as an "oversight failure," Sept. 15.
"I am absolutely appalled by how the taxpayers' money went to advance the energy cartel corruption," he said on his way to the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul.
The comment came on the heels of Sept. 13 findings by a recent anti-corruption investigation led jointly by the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Twelve of the 226 municipalities nationwide were reported to have 2,267 irregularities in the combined amount of 261.6 billion won ($188.1 million) between September of last year and August.
Energy minister Lee Chang-yang acknowledged Sept. 16 that some energy cooperatives were granted special treatment, including unreasonable expansion of small solar businesses. "The government will outline a new renewable energy policy directive to correct the status quo," he said.
The days of public chastisement culminated in the launch of a special fact-finding committee the ruling People Power Party, Monday.
"We are deeply concerned," an industry official said. "The corrupt few should be punished, but that doesn't mean that all the others should be treated the same."
Seoul National University Graduate School of Environmental Studies professor Hong Jong-ho said Korea's long-term goal of increasing the use of renewables as an energy source by manufacturers and businesses at large will be dealt a major setback.
"Korea's use of renewables falls far short of the levels set and maintained by its advanced peers," he said. "Local firms in need of full transition to 'green entities' will be pushed to leave for countries where renewables industries are fostered through tax incentives and state grants."
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