South Korea plans to suspend five of its aged coal-fired power plants from March to June to tackle air pollution, Yonhap News Agency reported Feb. 28, citing the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
The targeted coal plants are over 30 years old and produce a combined 2.3 GW of electricity, or about 2% of the nation's total power generation.
The move is part of the Moon Jae-in administration's broader energy plan to transition from coal and nuclear power plants to renewable energy sources, the report said.
Under the plan, the government won't authorize new licenses for coal-fired power plants, while existing coal plants will be required to slash CO2 emissions 40% by 2022 and 58% by 2030.
Utility companies will also be asked to convert their coal projects to liquefied natural gas stations, the report said.
