The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE, Minister Kim Sungwhan) visited the Dongbok Dam site on June 30 to review the dam’s operational status and utilization plans, and announced detailed measures to ensure a stable water supply for the new semiconductor industrial complex in the southwest region.

The available water resources that can be supplied to the new semiconductor industrial complex to be developed in the southwest region are as follows.

First, 50,000 tons/day of Dongbok Dam’s surplus capacity of 88,000 tons/day will be utilized, and an additional 250,000 tons/day will be secured through raising the dam’s height, for a total available water supply of 300,000 tons/day. 

Of the Juam Dam’s planned industrial and municipal water allocation, 50,000 tons/day from the 70,000 tons/day that has been excessively allocated and remains unused will be utilized, and 100,000 tons/day out of the 119,000 tons/day surplus capacity of Jangheung Dam will also be utilized.

At Boseonggang Dam, 100,000 tons/day of water currently used for hydropower generation will be converted to industrial water supply. 

* Boseonggang Dam is located upstream of Juam Dam, but it is currently generating power by diverting its water system to Deungnyang Bay.

Agricultural water currently supplied from Naju Dam to areas in the lower reaches of the Yeongsan River will be replaced with water from the part of the river that is closer to the lower reaches of the Yeongsan River, and the 210,000 tons/day of dam water saved will be supplied as industrial water. 

In addition, 300,000 tons/day of reclaimed wastewater from the Gwangju No. 1 Sewage Treatment Plant can be secured for use as general industrial water through reverse osmosis treatment. 

* Among the water used in semiconductor industrial complexes, 50% is general process water, and there are cases of reclaimed wastewater being used as general process water.

Meanwhile, semiconductor production facilities and partner companies are expected to move into the complex, and daily water demand is projected to be 650,000 tons. 

The MCEE plans to stably supply 650,000 tons of water per day from the available water resources above: 300,000 tons/day from Dongbok Dam, 150,000 tons/day from the surplus capacity of Juam Dam and Jangheung Dam, 100,000 tons/day from Boseonggang Dam, and 100,000 tons/day from Naju Dam.

The detailed water supply methods and schedule will be worked out in close consultation with the relevant companies, and detailed implementation measures will be developed.

Minister Kim Sungwhan said, “By ensuring the timely supply of water to the new semiconductor industrial complex in the southwest region, we will smoothly carry out the mega-project, a key strategy for Korea’s transition into a major leap forward.”  End.