Gangneung Mayor Kim Jung-nam Seeks Support for Water and Power Issues in Meeting with Climate Minister

【Financial News, Gangneung = Reporter Kim Ki-seop】Gangneung Mayor Kim Jung-nam requested government support to address regional issues, including securing alternative water resources and supplying power to an AI data center.
According to Gangneung on the 3rd, Mayor Kim Jung-nam met with Minister Kim Seong-hwan that day, explained regional issues under the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment’s jurisdiction, and sought cooperation. Kim explained plans to secure alternative water resources along the East Coast, including pursuing a research project on seawater desalination, as well as support for installing a 345 kV substation to supply power to an AI data center and converting Doam Dam into a pumped-storage power plant. He requested support at the ministry level.
Mayor Kim requested cooperation to ensure the prompt installation of the 345 kV substation, saying that a stable power supply infrastructure is essential for the AI data center, which is expected to serve as a catalyst for economic revitalization in southern Gangneung. He also proposed converting and constructing Doam Dam as a pumped-storage power plant to utilize its existing hydropower function and expand the region’s energy infrastructure.
He requested the government’s active review, saying that creating a pumped-storage power plant using existing water resources could contribute to expanding renewable energy and stabilizing the power grid.
Mayor Kim added that Gangneung plans to continue communicating with the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and other central government agencies, while making every effort to accelerate major pending projects and secure national funding.
Gangneung Mayor Kim Jung-nam said, "Both tasks—solving water problems through seawater desalination and establishing the power infrastructure for the data center—can move forward only with support from the ministry," adding, "We will work closely with the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment to help Gangneung take its next leap forward."

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