Forum shares regional energy issues and cross-regional cooperation

Participants discuss ways to promote decentralized energy by region

The Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang Super-Regional Economic Alliance, launched with the goal of developing the region into one of Northeast Asia's eight major economic zones, held an energy forum in Ulsan on Thursday to explore ways to advance shared growth. Pictured is the Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang Policy Council meeting held Sept. 8, attended by the mayors and governor of the three cities and province. [Provided by Busan City]
The Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang Super-Regional Economic Alliance, launched with the goal of developing the region into one of Northeast Asia's eight major economic zones, held an energy forum in Ulsan on Thursday to explore ways to advance shared growth. Pictured is the Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang Policy Council meeting held Sept. 8, attended by the mayors and governor of the three cities and province. [Provided by Busan City]

Energy officials and experts from Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang Province gathered Thursday at the Ulsan Exhibition and Convention Center for the Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang Super-Regional Economic Alliance Energy Forum, sharing the status of regional decentralized energy policies and discussing ways to promote decentralized energy and foster mutual growth.

The forum was held in Ulsan for the third time, following previous editions in Busan in 2024 and South Gyeongsang Province in 2025. Through thematic presentations, participants shared updates on the national decentralized energy policy and its implementation direction, Ulsan's development strategy for its decentralized energy special zone, the current status of Busan's decentralized energy special zone initiative, new decentralized energy business developments in South Gyeongsang Province, and the progress and expansion plans for decentralized special zone projects.

A panel discussion examined ways to link and coordinate decentralized energy policies across the southeastern region, as well as practical challenges in promoting decentralized energy.

Ulsan shared its decentralized energy policy and special zone strategy — centered on supplying locally generated power directly to industrial facilities in the Ulsan Mipo and Onsan national industrial complexes — and proposed joint measures to address the energy crisis.

"Through this forum, we explored the role of the Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang Super-Regional Economic Alliance in the energy sector," an Ulsan city official said. "As one pillar of the alliance, Ulsan will continue to expand the achievements of cross-regional cooperation and steadily strengthen coordination and collaboration in the energy field."

Since its launch in 2023, the Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang Super-Regional Economic Alliance has focused on delivering tangible results in three areas: completing a one-hour commuter zone across the three cities and province, nurturing future growth industries, and advancing everyday lifestyle projects. Through 53 cooperative initiatives spanning industry, talent and cultural tourism, the alliance has secured preliminary feasibility approval for a metropolitan rail line linking Busan, Yangsan and Ulsan as well as a rail connection to Gadeokdo New Airport, and has eliminated transfer fares across the Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang metropolitan transit network.


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