The so-called “energy three laws” - the Special Act on the Expansion of National Power Network, the Special Act on the Management of High-level Radioactive Waste, and the Special Act on the Promotion of Offshore Wind Power and Industrial Development - were approved at the Cabinet meeting on the 18th. The energy three laws passed the National Assembly plenary session threshold on the 27th of last month.
The Special Act on Power Networks simplifies the permitting process for the installation of transmission lines for advanced industries such as AI and semiconductors. Concerns have been raised regarding the decline in local acceptance of power networks, leading to disruptions in connecting zero-carbon power sources or supplying electricity to advanced industries, highlighting the need for legislation.
With the enactment of the Special Act on Power Networks, the government will establish a National Power Network Expansion Committee under the Prime Minister, with participation from the government, local governments, and experts, to mediate conflicts related to the construction of the national power network. It will also stipulate the expansion of resident compensation and support for local governments. The number of permit subjects will be expanded from the existing 18 to 35, and measures to prevent delays related to ancillary businesses such as access roads and work areas will be introduced. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy plans to begin drafting subordinate laws, including specific compensation and support expansion measures, in line with the law’s implementation in September.
The Special Act on High-level Radioactive Waste addresses the safe management and permanent disposal of “spent nuclear fuel” generated during the operation of nuclear power plants. Voices calling for legislation have grown as it is expected that the temporarily stored spent nuclear fuel within power plants will reach saturation starting in 2030. So far, high-risk nuclear waste has been temporarily stored due to insufficient legal provisions.
The Special Act on High-level Radioactive Waste provides a legal basis for site selection for management facilities and support for hosting regions. It sets a goal to secure interim storage facilities by 2050 and disposal facilities by 2060, introducing democratic and scientific site selection procedures. The procedure for soliciting opinions from surrounding areas and support measures for the establishment of spent nuclear fuel storage facilities were also legislated. Once the facilities are completed, the spent nuclear fuel in temporary storage will be immediately “transferred.” The newly established High-level Radioactive Waste Management Committee, under the Prime Minister, will be responsible for tasks related to high-level radioactive waste management.
The Special Act on Offshore Wind Power simplifies the permitting process for wind power projects. The main focus is to introduce a government-led ‘planned site system’. It is expected that the uncertainties that have arisen as project operators individually carry out site discovery, secure local acceptance, and manage related permits will be resolved. The bill also includes provisions to strengthen support for the fisheries industry, so that offshore wind power projects can harmonize with existing users of shared waters, such as fishermen.
The government will establish the “Offshore Wind Power Committee” under the Prime Minister and a joint “Offshore Wind Power Promotion Team” with related ministries. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will build an information network for offshore wind power sites and designate preliminary districts considering wind conditions, fishing activities, vessel operations, and environmental factors through the committee’s review and decision. The ministry will designate development districts after consultations with public-private councils of local governments and environmental impact assessments, and the selected offshore wind power project operators will be chosen through bidding. Once the selected operators submit their implementation plans for approval, related permits will be processed as deemed necessary.
The government will also support the development and operation of technology in the offshore wind power sector, the revitalization of supply chains, the establishment of demonstration sites, the training of specialized personnel, and the provision of essential dedicated ports and auxiliary facilities to nurture the industry and infrastructure, thereby supporting the wind power industry. It also includes provisions to utilize the shared water usage fees and usage fees related to offshore wind power in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as resources for the Fisheries Development Fund according to the Basic Law on Fisheries and Rural Development, among other supports for affected fisheries.