As more people show interests on renewable energy and the demand of the renewable energy has increased because of climate change and energy crisis especially at a regional level, more governments try to raise the energy independency through the renewable energy.
The projects on the local supply of the renewable energy are one of the regional energy policies to promote the local governments’ participation on the models of the renewable energy. This research purports to evaluate the projects on the local supply of the renewable energy through the field works and the interviews with responsible persons in Gyeonggi-Do, and draws the alternative policies for the improvement. Ultimately, it attempts to address policy suggestions to activate the local energy through the alternatives.
The outcome of the field research into the projects on the local supply of the renewable energy indicates the followings.
Firstly, the goals were not accomplished by a lack of fact finding researches on the feasibility and the resources of the projects at a planning stage.
Secondly, the inconveniences and complaints of the users have often occurred due to the poor management of the construction business.
Thirdly, the absence of the integrated monitoring system among the facility user organizations, the construction business, the Korea Energy Management Corporation (referred to as KEMCO) fails the post-management of the facilities for the renewable energy.
Fourthly, a lack of staffs and budgets leads to the difficulties of the post-management for the projects.
Fifthly, the passive involvement of the actors with the public awareness on the projects lowers the utilization of the projects.
In contrast, the actively engaging institutions gain direct benefits from the lower costs of the facility maintenance and the lower CO₂ emissions. It is expected that the current soaring oil price would make the engagement of the projects economically positive.
To sum up, the alternative measures to the problems of the projects on the local supply of the renewable energy could be suggested accordingly.
Firstly, an institutional framework should be set up to implement the entire processes of the projects on the local supply of the renewable energy in a more systematic and efficient way.
Secondly, the integrated operational networks of the project such as related management networks, information sharing networks of local governments on the projects are needed for Gyeonggi-Do.
Thirdly, the budgets, work forces and positions at responsible departments need to be secured stably by the local governments in charge of the projects.
Fourthly, the projects need to be activated as a counter-scheme of the climate change.
Fifthly, the education and public relations programmes should be worked out through the projects in a way to raise the public awareness on the renewable energy.
Sixthly, the responsible authority - the Korea Energy Management Corporation (KEMCO) should intensify the supporting system beyond the support of the project budget.
Lastly, local governance is needed among Gyeonggi-Do, local governments and civil society etc. based on the projects so as to extend the horizon of the discussions on the local energy engagement.
Therefore, the suggestions stated above would be a critical foundation for the industrialization of the renewable energy and the activation of the local energy in Gyeonggi-Do.