[THE INVESTOR] Ten old coal-fired power plants in Korea will be shut down in the next 10 years, the government said July 6, adding that new ones will no longer built as part of its efforts to reduce air pollution.

The Industry Ministry said that it will close 10 coal stations aged 30 years or over, with a combined capacity of 3.3 million kilowatts, one by one when they reach the end of their respective operational life span.

Two power plants on the country’s west coast will face the first shutdown in 2018, with the closure program to be completed by 2025.

“We will not allow new coal plants to be built in the country,” said Deputy Industry Minister Chae Hee-bong in a briefing. “Only renewable green energy power stations will produce electricity in the country.”

The outdated coal plants have been singled out as the main culprits of fine dust, along with old diesel vehicles. Out of 53 coal power plants operating in South Korea, 10 are over 30 years old.

Coal-powered electricity accounted for 28 percent of the country’s total power production in 2015, following by nuclear power with 33 percent.

The government will inject 2 trillion won (US$1.73 billion) to help retrofit eight coal generators aged 20 year old or over to improve their efficiency and reduce sulfuric acid emissions.

The remaining 35 plants will be equipped with desulfurization system, added the ministry.

The plan details the follow-up measures to the South Korean government’s efforts unveiled last month to control fine dust which has recently emerged as one of the biggest threats to public health, as the country has increasingly become more dust-polluted.

(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)