It will become easier to increase per-household grants in areas where transmission and substation facilities are installed.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said three amendment bills—the Act on Compensation and Support for Areas around Transmission and Substation Facilities, the Special Act on Promoting Distributed Energy, and the Carbon Dioxide Storage and Utilization Act—passed the National Assembly's plenary session on the 13th.
The amendment to the Act on Compensation and Support for Areas around Transmission and Substation Facilities provides that when at least 50% of the grants for areas with installed transmission and substation facilities are to be given as per-household grants, consent from at least three-fourths of residents, rather than all residents, will suffice.
The law was revised to prevent projects from being blocked by opposition from a small number of residents when unanimity had been required.
The amendment to the Special Act on Promoting Distributed Energy includes a provision allowing businesses within distributed energy special zones to purchase electricity not only from Korea Electric Power Corporation but also from the power market when the power they supply to electricity users is insufficient.
If distributed energy businesses and others operate through improper means, the penalty surcharge is calculated based on sales. If they fail to submit sales calculation data or submit false data, the system was improved to calculate the penalty surcharge using accounting data from a business of similar size.
The amendment to the law on carbon dioxide capture, transport, storage and utilization (CCUS) includes support for purchasers of carbon dioxide utilization products. Previously, producers of carbon dioxide utilization products had a basis for support for technology development and facility investment and operation, but from the buyer's standpoint the products themselves were more expensive than general products, hindering growth of the related industry.
The amendment stipulates that necessary support can also be provided to buyers, laying the groundwork for industry development and greenhouse gas reduction.
An official at the ministry said, "We will do our best to prepare the necessary conditions, including refining subordinate statutes, so that the three bills passed by the National Assembly today can be implemented in the field without a hitch."