President Cho In-kook of Korea Western Power Co. speaks at a ceremony to officially move into its new head office building in Taean, Chungcheongnam-do, on Sept. 25.

Dignitaries, including Deputy Minister for Energy and Resources Chung Yang-ho of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOWEPO President Cho In-kook, cut the ribbon to open KOWEPO’s new head office building.

Korea Western Power Co. (KOWEPO) officially moved into its new head office building in Taean, Chungcheongnam-do, with a ceremony on Sept. 25. 

The occasion ushered in an ear of “Taean’s Happiness,” the company said. 

Among some 200 people on hand at the ceremony were Deputy Minister for Energy and Resources Chung Yang-ho of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), KOWEPO President Cho In-kook, KEPCO President Cho Hwan-eik, Daean County Chief Han Sang-ki and Vice Governor Song Suk-doo of the Chungcheongnamdo provincial government. 

KOWEPO President Cho greeted the invited dignitaries at the entrance of the KOWEPO head office and exchanged greetings with them minutes before the event. 

Before the ceremony, the guests were given a chance to tour the KOWEPO head office. Announcer Yoon Bo-ra was the emcee. Video footage and photos told the story of KOWEPO’s footsteps, a process of power generation and the bright future of KOWEPO were shown on the 2nd floor Public Relations Hall. 

KOWEPO explained the specifications of the KOWEPO head office building, including the characteristics of the design and major facilities on its second floor. Invited guests learned about the structure, which is outfitted with solar and photovoltaic power generation facilities. 

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held and a commemorative tree was transplanted after touring the head office building. 

The KOWEPO headquarters building, located at a lot covering 58,684 square meters at 1st District, Dongpyeong, Daean-eup, Chungcheongnam-do, is considered eco-friendly. It consists of the six-floor main building with a basement floor and an annex structure. 

Solar panels are installed on the rooftop of the KOWEPO structures to supply hot water. 

An artistic work portraying a sprout that symbolizes KOWEPO’s hope and future, dubbed “Rise Up,” is displayed at the entrance of the main building. The structure is designed to communicate “the production of unlimited energy as if sprouts rise up to the surface after enduring a hardship in the dark earth.” 

The structure is an energy-efficient one that replaces some 34 percent of its energy consumption with new and renewable energy sources. The front facade of the building is outfitted with photovoltaic power generation facilities. Heating and cooling systems are installed on the surface of each floor, instead of in the ceiling to conserve energy. 

KOWEPO has a parking space capable of accommodating 338 cars. On the upper section of the parking space is a photovoltaic power generation system and a geothermal system is installed some 250 meters below the surface to keep it cool during summer and warm during winter.

The annex building has an auditorium to hold a variety of companywide events. 

KOWEPO was relocated from Samseongpdong, Seoul, to the new head office in Taean.

A view of KOWEPO’s new head office building, which is considered to be eco-friendly and energy efficient, in Taean, Chungcheongnam-do. (Photos:KOWEPO)