Korea Bids for World Energy Congress
By Ryu Jin
Staff Reporter
Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) President and CEO Lee Won-gul has been leading the country's efforts to host the World Energy Congress in Daegu in 2013.
Last November, he visited Rome, Italy, along with government officials and business leaders to drum up support for Daegu in the 2007 World Energy Congress, the last assembly ahead of the selection of the successful host city in Mexico late this year.
Organized by the World Energy Council (WEC) every three years, the energy fair is attended by more than 5,000 people from nearly 100 member states and is often dubbed the ``Energy Field Olympics.''
In a keynote speech in the Italian capital, Lee officially declared as the chief delegate the South Korean city's bid to host the world's prestigious event in 2013. Montreal, Canada, is to host the 2010 congress.
``It would be significant if the event is held in Asia where energy consumption has increased drastically amid rapid economic growth,'' Lee said. ``South Korea, in particular, can initiate cooperation between advanced and developing nations more effectively.''
In Asia, only India and Japan have hosted the conference ― in 1983 and 1995, respectively ― since the congress was launched in London, Britain, in 1924. South Korea will have to compete with South Africa and a couple of other countries for the 2013 congress.
Experts as well as officials from the bidding committee estimate that the country could expect various economic ripple effects worth about 1 trillion won ($1.06 billion) if it succeeds in the bid to host the premier energy event.
South Korea, though in close competition with South Africa, seems upbeat about the bid at the moment. Officials indicated that major Asian countries including Japan and China have already expressed support for Daegu.
``South Korea has represented Asia along with Japan as a member state of the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) and IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency),'' Lee said in an interview with The Korea Times.
``Beside, the country has achieved remarkable economic growth through stable and balanced supply and demand based on a splendid energy system though it lacks major energy and resources,'' he added. ``We can do it based on such strong points!''
Headquartered in London, the WEC is the foremost multi-energy organization in the world today with nearly 100 member countries including most of the largest energy-producing and consuming countries.
Established in 1923, the council is a U.N.-accredited, non-governmental body that covers all types of energy sources including coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear, hydro and renewable energy.
Last year's conference, officially the 20th, opened in Rome on Nov. 11 for a five-day run. Amid high crude oil prices, participants had debates and discussions on the sustainable development and the prospects of the energy industry.