According to the Yeongdong Eco Power Division of Korea South-East Power (KOSEP), around 96 billion won was invested to renovate the Young Dong Unit 1 power station into a renewable energy plant that generates 125 megawatts by burning wood pellets. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jul. 24 (Korea Bizwire) — The aging coal-powered Young Dong Unit 1 power station has been revamped as the country’s largest environment-friendly biomass plant, replacing coal with wood pellet fuel.
According to the Yeongdong Eco Power Division of Korea South-East Power (KOSEP), around 96 billion won was invested to renovate the Young Dong Unit 1 power station into a renewable energy plant that generates 125 megawatts by burning wood pellets.
Wood pellets are an environment-friendly solid fuel made by processing solid wood, and are still permitted despite a recent shift in the government’s new energy policy towards renewable energy sources.
Since its establishment in 1973, the Young Dong Unit 1 power station served as a pillar of energy generation until last month, when a temporary halt ordered by the government saw operators of the long-running power plant contemplate its future before eventually going green.
Reports show, however, that the air pollutant emission intensity of nitrogenous compounds and sulfur oxides at Young Dong Unit 1 have decreased drastically since DeNOx facilities were adopted and coal fuel was replaced with wood pellets.
Following the revamp at Young Dong Unit 1, the Yeongdong Eco Power Division says it is considering the idea of using renewable energy generation at Young Dong Unit 2.
Coal burning at Young Dong Unit 2 is currently scheduled to end next year.
M.H.Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
