The 'Energy 3 Laws' aimed at securing electricity supply for advanced industries was passed by the National Assembly during a plenary session on the 27th. This law supports the expansion of the power grid to ensure timely electricity supply for national strategic industries such as artificial intelligence (AI) that require large-scale electricity. Notably, it has opened up a path to operate nuclear power plants, which faced a halt due to saturation of storage facilities by 2030. It took nine years for this to pass through the National Assembly since discussions began in 2016.

Graphic=Jeong Seo-hee

On the same day, the National Assembly held a plenary session and approved the so-called Energy 3 Laws, which include ▲ Special law for the expansion of the national power grid ▲ Special law for the management of high-level radioactive waste ▲ Special law for promoting offshore wind power generation. Although there is extreme confrontation in the political sphere following a state of emergency, it is regarded positively that both the ruling and opposition parties agreed to process these laws in support of the energy sector.

The Special law for the expansion of the national power grid streamlines the permission process for the installation of power transmission lines for advanced industries such as AI. When establishing implementation plans related to the national power grid, local government officials must gather and respond to residents' opinions within '60 days', and if this period passes, it is considered that the consultation has been completed. This provision aims to prevent indefinite delays in the project during the public opinion gathering process.

Specifically, it includes ▲ Establishment of the power expansion network committee under the Prime Minister ▲ Expansion of the agenda for permits from 18 to 35 ▲ Special compensation for residents and local governments around transmission and transformation facilities. Once the law is enacted, it can contribute to the timely construction of the national core power grid of 345 kV or higher.

Kim Won-yi, the opposition party secretary of the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, and Energy Committee and a member of the Democratic Party, noted, "There are many difficulties involved in creating a power grid as there are local residents' opposition and significant construction expenses, and to resolve this, designated power grids supported by the government can receive expedited assistance and electricity can be prioritized from the areas where it is first generated."

The Special law for high-level waste management establishes permanent disposal facilities for 'spent nuclear fuel' generated when nuclear power plants operate. It stipulates the construction of interim storage facilities by 2050 and permanent disposal facilities by 2060. Until now, there have been no proper legal provisions, resulting in the temporary storage of high-risk nuclear waste in storage facilities. The storage facility capacity is to be based on the 'predicted amount generated during the design life'.

The Special law for offshore wind power was also passed, changing the project from one led by the private sector to a 'planned site' method led by the government. Once the law is enacted, the government will create industrial complexes and recruit operators within the designated offshore wind power sites in advance. Specifically, to expand offshore wind power in response to the climate crisis, it has omitted the 'environmental impact assessment' and provided an exemption from preliminary feasibility studies when necessary within renewable energy districts.

Kang Seung-kyu, a member of the National Assembly from the ruling People Power Party and part of the Industry and Trade Committee, stated in the bill's proposal explanation, "The 'Energy 3 Laws' are the results of agreements reached between the ruling and opposition parties after long discussions," and added, "This will contribute to the creation of critical industrial infrastructure that timely supplies electricity necessary for advanced industries such as semiconductors and data centers through non-carbon and sustainable methods."