“재생에너지 확대로 농업 일방적 희생… 정의로운 전환을”

President Jeoma emphasized during the beginning of this month's government work report that "solar energy projects are much more efficient than agriculture." He stated, "With proper grid infrastructure, one can easily live by cultivating solar farms." The call for "expansion of renewable energy" is an unavoidable goal in addressing the climate crisis.

By placing solar power generation on unproductive agricultural lands, more electricity can be produced for industry, and people and businesses can be attracted to the region. However, for farmers, this translates to effectively "giving up agriculture." Korean Federation of Agricultural Solar Energy Development highlighted the potential of "agro-solar" models, stating, "Otherwise, not installing solar energy is better."

While solar and wind power facilities have been a source of conflict in agricultural communities across the country, recent efforts aim to unite these issues under a common cause. Last November, farmer organizations convened a hearing titled "Moving Beyond 'One-Way Sacrifice' to 'Just Transition': Listening to Rural Voices," attended by 500 participants.

Nine farmers presented their individual cases, which all shared the commonality of being unable to farm or maintain daily life due to government-led developments of solar, wind, and hydropower projects as well as the construction of transmission towers. The argument against these developments centers around the reality that water-rich regions supply electricity to agricultural communities nationwide.

Meanwhile, legal expert Hyung-su Han of the Public Interest Law Center's 'Farmers' group declared, "The claim that expanding solar and wind energy will mitigate climate change is a scam." He criticized expanding renewable energy without reducing energy demand as "ineffective" and pointed to global data showing that over the past 20 years, despite efforts to expand renewable energy, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels continue to rise.

He argued that this trend has been fueled by the inadequacy of efforts to reduce energy demand. Despite the displacement and disruption caused by renewable energy projects, farmers have been willing to endure, believing these projects are necessary. However, it is time to clearly state that such "renewable energy" is becoming environmentally damaging.

The debate over renewable energy and power development is not a new issue and occurs in various regions. However, the government's 'Three Major Mega Projects,' which demand unprecedented levels of power, are contributing to worsening the very climate crisis they aim to tackle. These projects may require additional infrastructure, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plants and nuclear power, as well as ultra-high-pressure transmission lines.

Critics argue that the government's failure to conduct thorough environmental impact assessments is exacerbating these concerns. The government is facing legal challenges over the 3 Major Mega Projects, particularly the proposed high-voltage transmission lines for a new semiconductor industrial complex in Gyeonggi Province. The nationwide protest movement, centered around concerns about energy transfer to the semiconductor complex, recently began a cross-country march from Yeongam County in South Jeolla Province to Seoul on November 30th.

Farmer organizations joined the march, planning to hold a night vigil in front of the Blue House on December 20th, demanding answers from President Jeoma.