During his visit to Hanwha Solutions Q CELLS, a domestic solar cell manufacturer in Jincheon, Minister Park toured the production facilities for solar cells and modules and gathered feedback from officials.
He highlighted the significance of the veranda solar power supply project in terms of securing energy supply chains and achieving carbon neutrality. However, he emphasized the need for the smooth implementation of energy transition projects, amounting to approximately 600 billion won, which are reflected in the supplementary budget for this year.
An official from the company suggested that increased support is necessary to enhance the technological competitiveness of domestic firms, particularly in next-generation solar cells.
In fact, the market share of domestic solar cell manufacturers dropped from about 50% in 2019 to around 25% in 2023, and it has recently fallen to just over 4%, highlighting the crisis facing the domestic industry.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance believes that collaboration among the central government, local governments, manufacturers, and private associations is crucial for securing technological competitiveness and restoring the solar industry ecosystem.
Minister Park plans to review the feedback gathered during the visit with relevant departments and consider it for the 2027 budget. He stated, "In addition to renewable energy supply projects like solar panels, we will implement various support measures, including research and development (R&D) and financial assistance, to enhance the global competitiveness of domestic producers."
Additionally, Minister Park visited the Jincheon National Training Center to encourage athletes preparing for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. He noted that 3 billion won has been allocated in the supplementary budget for the construction of an 'air mat' facility that allows for year-round winter training, pledging to improve the training environment for athletes.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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