South Korean Utility Firm GS EPS Announces Completion Of Asia’s Largest Biomass Plant In Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province

GS EPS, an affiliate of GS Group, announced on September 11 the completion of a biomass plant in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province. The biomass plant is the largest of its kind in Asia which can generate "up to 105 megawatts (MW) of electricity," Yonhap News forecasts on the same day.

Since the building of the plant started three years ago, the South Korean utility firm reportedly has spent 300 billion won for the project. In addition, the large-scale biomass plant can generate sufficient electricity than can be used for an hour by 110,000 people.

"To become a top-tier global company, we need creative strategies, rather than imitation, which will enable us to innovate ahead of others," says GS Group Chairman Huh Chang Soo, as reported by Korea Times last Friday. "Developing new products and technologies is important, but equally important is converging new ideas and existing products to make wholly new ones."

He goes on, "Through the operation of Asia's largest biomass power plant, GS EPS will accumulate know-how and technology, and make inroads into the global power market."

A spokesman of GS EPS reveals that it is the only plant in South Korea with more than 100 megawatt capacity.

"Of the four biomass power plants in operation here, including Korea East-West Power and Korea Midland Power, we are the only one that has an over 100 megawatt capacity," says company spokesman.

"With the electricity, generated from the new facility, we can earn enough credits to receive a renewable energy certificate, and also trade extra electricity to others on the market."

The Dong-A Ilbo reports on September 12 that biomass plants could be described as eco-friendly plants because of lesser carbon emissions compared to plants of liquefied natural gas (LNG) or coal thermal power generation.