The ‘North Dangjin-Shintangjeong transmission line’ project, the most delayed power grid construction project in the country, has been completed after 21 years. It took exactly 21 years from the start of the project in 2003 to the scheduled operation in November 2024.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy hosted a completion ceremony for the North Dangjin-Shintangjeong 345 kV transmission line project on the 2nd near the Seohae Bridge offshore in Songak-eup, Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province.
This project initially aimed for completion in June 2012 but took an additional 13 years. Local residents' strong opposition to the construction of the transmission line delayed progress. Delays in local government permits also meant that construction could only begin in mid-2014.
With the expansion of the North Dangjin-Shintangjeong transmission network, the development constraints in the West Sea region are expected to be partially resolved. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy evaluated that about 350 billion won in additional electricity purchase costs will be saved annually. As the power infrastructure in Chungcheong and the metropolitan area is strengthened, investments in the next-generation display sector in the Cheonan-Asan area, designated as a specialized district for national advanced strategic industries, are also expected to gain momentum.
The ministry plans to accelerate related projects, including the 345 kV Dangjin Thermal Power-Shinsongsan and North Dangjin-Shindangjin transmission lines, currently underway in the Dangjin area.
Choi Nam-ho, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, who attended the completion ceremony, noted, "We will realize a new paradigm for securing the acceptability of the power grid through the new power grid governance involving the entire government and local governments, and the significant expansion of compensation and support for local residents ahead of the implementation of the 'Special Law on Power Grids' scheduled for this September," urging local governments to actively support the permitting of regional power grid expansion projects.