Choo Seeks to Make Gyeonggi Province New Standard for Global Semiconductor Industry With Gigawatt-Level Power Infrastructure
Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae called on global semiconductor and big tech companies to cooperate, pledging to make Gyeonggi Province a model for the global semiconductor industry where advanced technology and clean energy grow together.
On the 27th at a hotel in Seongnam, Governor Choo held a ‘Global Semiconductor Company Renewable Energy Policy Meeting’ with representatives from global companies including Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, Apple, Amazon Web Services (AWS), ASML, Microsoft, and Qualcomm, as well as officials from the Semiconductor Industry Association (SEMI), to discuss ways to strengthen the future competitiveness of eco-friendly K-semiconductors.
In his opening remarks, Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo said, "What Gyeonggi Province aims to do is not simply attracting a few more semiconductor factories, but building a world-class, complete ecosystem where the entire semiconductor value chain—from production to advanced packaging, research personnel, and industrial infrastructure—is connected most rapidly and stably."
Governor Choo continued, "We want to make Gyeonggi Province a hub where your world-class technology and investments translate into tangible results most quickly," and emphasized the importance of energy supply, stating, "While semiconductor competition begins at the nanometer level, the success of the industry depends on whether we can properly supply gigawatt-level eco-friendly power infrastructure."
He added, "Even with excellent technology and massive investment, factories cannot operate without timely power supply. The challenges companies face in the field are power security, RE100 achievement, and licensing issues. To properly participate in global supply chains, RE100 achievement and carbon neutrality are now tasks directly linked to corporate competitiveness."
Governor Choo stated, "Gyeonggi Province aims to supply 10GW of renewable energy by 2030 and will strengthen power infrastructure and administrative support, establishing a stable power supply foundation through large-scale renewable energy projects and ESS (energy storage system) hub development. We will identify corporate renewable energy demands, coordinate with power generators, and provide comprehensive support to ensure smooth power purchase agreements."
He emphasized, "To build trust that 'you can do business fastest in Gyeonggi Province,' we are operating the Governor's Direct Ultra-Gap Semiconductor Strategy Committee. We will make Gyeonggi Province not just the world's largest semiconductor cluster, but a new standard for the global eco-friendly semiconductor industry where advanced technology and clean energy grow together."
Participating companies stressed that for the semiconductor industry to continue growing and secure global competitiveness, not only stable power grids to meet large-scale electricity demand but also systems and infrastructure that enable companies to secure necessary renewable energy in a timely manner must be prepared together.
Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province is promoting a "Renewable Energy Major Transition Plan" to expand renewable energy supply to 10GW by 2030 and link it to RE100 implementation in the semiconductor industry. The province plans to expand the renewable energy supply base by utilizing location-specific potential resources including industrial complex and factory rooftops, agrivoltaic and floating solar, state and public land, and various vacant sites. In particular, large-scale renewable energy projects led by the public will also be pursued in areas such as the Sihwa and Hwawong districts, Pyeongtaek Lake and Pyeongtaek Port, and vacant sites in the northern Gyeonggi DMZ area.
Separately, as power demand is expected to reach 15.5GW by 2040 at the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster, Gyeonggi Province is pursuing stable power supply measures with the government, Korea Electric Power Corporation, and companies. Along with renewable energy expansion, the province plans to support the stable growth of the semiconductor industry through early construction of transmission and substation facilities and expansion of energy storage systems (ESS).