World’s largest tidal power plant opens

Sihwa plant to meet demand for electricity for half million

By Kim Tae-gyu

Korea opened the world’s largest tidal power installation at Sihwa Lake reservoir, about 60 kilometers southwest of Seoul, to meet the electricity demand for almost half a million people.

The Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE) said on Monday that the facilities were built in seven years after the ground was broken in late 2004.

``The tidal power plants are one of just few renewable energy sources whose economic efficiency outpaces those of fossil fuels such as coal or oil,’’ MKE official Yoo Tae-ho said.

``The nation has one of the world’s strongest tides, the minimum must for the tidal power generation. Accordingly, we think that a host of other tidal power plants will follow suit.’’

As far as a tidal power generation is concerned, the Rance tidal power station has been dubbed as the champion since the French facilities were established 44 years ago in late 1966.

Yet, the Sihwa plants aim to top the list by a small margin from now on. Plus, the MKE said that the facilities would help the country substantially reduce the amount of air pollution.

``Thanks to the Sihwa plants, we will be able to save oil transportation costs of 94.2 billion won per annum as well as cut down on emissions of more than 300,000 tons of carbon dioxide every year,’’ Yoo said.

``In addition, Sihwa intends to become one of our most outstanding tourist attractions, which will draw approximately 1.5 million tourists by 2013. More fundamentally, it’s about the recent buzzword of green growth.’’

Asia’s fourth-largest economy has channeled some 500 billion won since 2003 through 2011 to build the Sihwa tidal power plants, which would create power that is equivalent to that made by 862,000 barrels of oil.

The tidal barrage takes advantage of a seawall set up back in 1994 for flood control as well as agricultural purposes.

After the seawall was built in Sihwa, concerns arose that the water in the reservoir would become polluted and useless for agriculture.

To counter the problem, seawater was reintroduced to control contamination.

Currently, Korea depends on thermal and nuclear power to meet the majority of its electricity demand.