Controversy over 41 billion won solar project on Jindo County-owned land: Fairness and rights of existing tenants

(Jindo = Women's Newspaper) Reporter Choi Kyung-pil = Controversy is brewing over the propriety of administrative procedures and the fairness of public property management, as a 41 billion won private solar power generation project is being advanced on agricultural reclamation land owned by Jindo County in the newly established Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan City.

The controversy stems from the fact that Jindo County issued an opinion stating that it was possible to lease the land to a private developer, despite the fact that existing lease agreements with agricultural cooperative corporations remain valid until the end of 2028. Based on this opinion, the developer proceeded with resident agreements and the solar power generation permit process.

According to a comprehensive review by Women's Newspaper on the 3rd, five agricultural cooperative corporations currently hold lease agreements with the county to cultivate rice in the Bojeon reclamation area of Jisan-myeon, Jindo County. The contract period runs until December 31, 2028.

The dispute began last December when a private power developer inquired with Jindo County about the possibility of leasing land for the installation of solar power facilities.

At the time, the Construction Division of Jindo County responded that leasing was possible after reviewing relevant laws and regulations. However, the response explicitly stated that this was conditional upon the formulation of a specific business plan, consultation with the county, and the execution of lease procedures in accordance with relevant regulations.

Subsequently, starting in February this year, the developer signed business cooperation agreements with resident cooperatives in four areas—Galdoo, Sangbojeon, Habojeon, and Geoje—and began securing resident consent.

In August, the developer applied to the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment for a power generation permit. On October 22, the Economy and Energy Division of Jindo County also submitted an opinion letter to the Ministry, stating that leasing for the installation of solar power facilities was possible, after obtaining approval from the Deputy County Mayor and the County Mayor.

The points of contention are whether the private developer can actually secure the site while the existing lease agreements remain in effect, and whether the rights of the existing lessees have been adequately considered in this process.

On the 27th of last month, some representatives of the five agricultural cooperative corporations stated, "Last year, the power developer tried to obtain consent without even a business plan." They added, "I do not know the consent status of individual residents, but as the representative of the agricultural cooperative corporation, I have never officially given my consent."

It is argued that individual residents' support for the power project and the consent of existing lessee corporations for land use are separate issues.

The Electric Power Business Act stipulates that the feasibility of the business plan and other factors must be reviewed during the power generation permit process. Obtaining a power generation permit does not automatically grant the right to lease county-owned land.

Consequently, there are calls to verify whether the "leasing possible" opinion submitted by Jindo County adequately reflected the rights of existing lessees and the uncertainty regarding the actual securing of the site.

The scale of the project is substantial. A private developer is advancing the construction of a 41-megawatt solar power plant on 35 parcels of reclaimed land in the Bojeon area, covering approximately 328,740 square meters (99,618 pyeong), with a total investment of 41 billion won. The targeted area accounts for roughly 19.5% of the entire Bojeon reclaimed land.

The fairness of utilizing public assets is also a point of contention. Given that this is a large-scale private power generation project using county-owned land, there are calls to examine whether the opportunity to participate in the project was fair and how the economic benefits generated will be returned to Jindo County and local residents.

Particular attention is being paid to how the future leasing process for the county-owned land will be conducted, especially since a specific developer is advancing the project based on the county’s preliminary review opinion.

In response, an official from the Economy and Energy Division of Jindo County stated, “The Economy and Energy Division is not the department that decides on land leasing.” The official explained that after the private developer selected the site for the project, they proceeded with the procedures for a power generation permit based on a response from the Construction Division confirming the land’s leaseability. The official further noted that the division has reviewed the related issues and submitted additional opinions.

Jindo County is reportedly currently re-examining the appropriateness of the relevant laws and administrative procedures.

Based on the facts confirmed to date, it cannot be definitively concluded that illegal preferential treatment or an unlawful leasing approval has been granted to a specific developer.

A local resident familiar with industry conditions pointed out, “Given that this is a large-scale private project utilizing public assets, it is necessary to verify the fairness of the project’s execution process and the appropriateness of administrative decisions.” The resident added, “Jindo County needs to provide specific explanations regarding measures to protect the rights of existing tenants, the future leasing process for county-owned land, and plans to return benefits to the local community.”