K-water to achieve 'net-zero' with new renewable energy

Workers check on solar power panels installed at Hapcheon Dam in South Gyeongsang Province on May 24. Courtesy of K-water

By Kim Jae-heun

The Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) said it will lead the global trend to take action against climate change by adopting a “smart” system for its water management.

The government has been working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by seeking a sustainable green society with low carbon use. Korea is set to host the P4G Summit on May 30 and 31. The virtual summit of global leaders will deal with climate change and sustainable development issues.

After the government revealed the Korean New Deal plan last year, K-water decided to adopt facilities for new renewable energy while establishing a “smart” water management system to cope with droughts and flooding utilizing artificial intelligence (AI).

In April, K-water became Korea's first public institution to join the global RE100 program, committing to relying 100 percent on renewable energy. K-water has already started expanding its solar and hydrothermal power systems to contribute to the country's net-zero goal. By 2050, K-water plans to use only renewable energy at its facilities and cut off greenhouse gas emissions.

The water industry around the world is heavily affected by climate change. At the same time, water management facilities are emitting greenhouse gases that cause global warming.

Climate change intensifies floods which cause water pollution and droughts lead to water shortages.

According to the United Nation's 2020 report, the population falling vulnerable to flooding by 2050 will increase from 1.2 billion to 1.6 billion. Those living in urban areas with water shortages will also soar from 2.7 billion to 3.2 billion in the same period.

Currently, water resource corporations around the world are responsible for 5 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. However the ratio is expected to rise as high as 30 percent in the next 30 years.

In June 2020, the Ministry of Environment revealed a plan to utilize hydrothermal energy and established a support group for new renewable energy to provide technical consultation and give advice on related policies. It is working on revising laws on water as well.

K-water is consuming a large amount of electricity to produce tap water by using big pumps at its facilities. It plans to establish green energy generation units at 43 water purification plants by 2030 to achieve net-zero in the tap water production process.

It will adopt AI and other technologies to form a “smart” water management system to provide safe and clean water to the nation.