Dokdo solar power generation plant to go on-line in the new year

SEOUL, Dec. 21 (Yonhap) -- A small solar power generation plant will go on-line
on South Korea's easternmost Dokdo islets on New Year's Day, a local electrical
contractors' association said Monday.
The facility built with private donations is designed to generate 55 kilowatts of
power that can be used by the lighthouse and police detachment stationed on the
islets in the East Sea, the Korea Electrical Contractors Association (KECA) said.
The solar generator is expected to produce enough power to cover 40 percent of
the islets' power needs and can contribute to the country's effort to introduce
eco-friendly reusable energy resources.
The association said it started asking for donations in September 2008 and
collected 3 billion won (US$2.5 million) from 3,000 people in three months.
Construction on the generator began in January this year, and a test run was
successfully concluded Sunday, the KECA said.
"A ceremony to mark the occasion will be held on-site on Jan. 1," an association
official said.
Originally, the government planned to build the solar power generation plant.
The association counts over 11,000 local electrical-related companies or 99
percent of all firms doing business in this sector as its members.
In addition to the KECA, Korea Energy Management Corp. and Korea Plant Service
and Engineering Co. took part in the construction.
Dokdo has long been a key target of Japan's territorial claims, even though Seoul
has exerted firm control of the territory since the 1950-53 Korean War.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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