Solar power generation serves as both a clean energy source and an income stream for rural communities. [Gangwon Province]
Solar power generation serves as both a clean energy source and an income stream for rural communities. [Gangwon Province]

The Ministry of Interior and Safety has selected 42 villages in Gangwon Province for the second round of its solar "Sunshine Income Village" program, as Gangwon Province Governor Woo Sang-ho moves forward with plans to build a "clean energy highway" anchored by large-scale solar installations in border areas.

The central government and Gangwon Province said Sunday that 45 villages in the province applied, but only 42 were ultimately chosen — one designated for immediate implementation and 41 on a conditional basis.

The Sunshine Income Village program is a resident-led renewable energy initiative in which villagers at the administrative ri level form cooperatives and similar organizations to participate directly in solar power generation, using the resulting revenue to supplement household incomes and fund community welfare and shared projects.

The "clean energy highway" concept follows a similar development, operation and revenue model. The large-scale selection of Gangwon villages is widely seen as closely aligned with Governor Woo's broader vision.

Han Yeong-seon, director of the Gangwon Province industry bureau, said the selection of 42 villages in the second round reflected strong interest among residents. "We will actively coordinate with central government ministries and relevant agencies to resolve grid connectivity issues, and work closely with cities and counties to ensure that villages wishing to apply for the third round do so by Oct. 23 without exception," Han said.

The main obstacle facing the conditionally selected villages is insufficient grid capacity. Even where suitable project sites and resident participation are secured, many cases involve distribution networks that lack the connection capacity needed to proceed immediately.

Gangwon Province said it has been in ongoing talks with relevant authorities to address the grid shortfall, requesting practical connection measures including distribution network expansion, system switching and reinforcement, and ESS linkages, while continuing to seek support arrangements to prevent policy projects from stalling indefinitely due to grid constraints.

The Ministry of Interior and Safety is running a third round of applications from Sept. 17 through Oct. 30 to broaden participation, offering an additional opportunity for villages that missed earlier application windows or need to improve their project conditions.

Villages wishing to join the third round must apply to their respective city or county governments by Oct. 23. Local governments will then review each application and submit their final selections to the Ministry of Interior and Safety by Oct. 30.


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