Chungcheongbuk-do

Establishing an integrated energy industry platform featuring an exhibition, conferences, export consultation meetings, and talk sessions - Free admission for visitors who pre-register by midnight on July 7 - Chungcheongbuk-do is taking a major step toward becoming a leading hub for the future energy industry. In partnership with Cheongju City, the Chungbuk Institute of Energy Technology Convergence, and OSCO Cheongju, the province will host the “2026 New Energy Fair Osong (NEO 2026)” at OSCO in Cheongju from July 8 to 10, 2026. NEO 2026 is Chungcheongbuk-do’s flagship energy industry exhibition, offering a comprehensive overview of technologies, policies, and market trends across future energy sectors, including solar power, energy storage systems (ESS), hydrogen, renewable energy, and distributed energy. The event will bring together domestic energy companies, public institutions, and industry associations, featuring approximately 200 exhibition booths. In addition to showcasing technologies and products in solar power, ESS, hydrogen, and energy-related services, a dedicated policy pavilion will introduce major energy initiatives promoted by Chungcheongbuk-do and Cheongju City. In addition to the exhibition, NEO 2026 will offer a wide range of professional conferences, seminars, and special programs over the three-day event, tailored for industry professionals. At the “Distributed and Renewable Energy Promotion Conference,” hosted by the Chungbuk Institute of Energy Technology Convergence, experts will discuss key industry issues such as distributed energy policy directions, responses to changes in electricity markets, the promotion of virtual power plants (VPPs), and strategies to enhance grid flexibility. The event will also feature a series of specialized conferences, including a symposium on hydrogen industry innovation and liquefied hydrogen infrastructure technologies co-hosted by the Korean Hydrogen and New Energy Society and the Korea Gas Safety Corporation, a public consultation on residential ESS standards and a workshop on battery reuse technologies, and a seminar on solar digital O&M and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), hosted by the Korean Solar Energy Society and the Chungbuk Institute of Energy Technology Convergence. The seminar program has been designed with strong practical relevance. It includes a “Hydrogen Safety Special Training Seminar” hosted by the Korea Gas Safety Corporation, an “Energy Business Practice Seminar,” and a “Global Energy Transition and Domestic Response Strategy Seminar.” Topics will cover solar business strategies, global battery trade and environmental regulations, RE100 initiatives, and power supply strategies for AI data centers—providing participants with actionable insights into the latest policy market, and technology trends. A variety of side events will further enrich the exhibition. A procurement and export consultation program will connect participating companies with pre-match overseas buyers through one-on-one meetings. The “Battery Job Concert” will serve as a recruitment and career networking platform connecting secondary battery companies in Chungbuk with industry talent. Visitors will also be able to enjoy guided docent tours and interactive on-site events. Pre-registration is available free of charge via the official website (neofair.co.kr). Visitors who complete registration by midnight on July 7 will receive free admission for all three days of the exhibition. Separate registration may be required for certain conferences and seminar sessions. A Chungcheongbuk-do official stated, “NEO 2026 is more than just an exhibition; it is being developed as an integrated industry platform that connects technologies, policies, businesses, and markets within the future energy sector.” The official added, “We will do our utmost to ensure the success of the event and help position Chungbuk as a leading center of Korea’s future energy industry.”