Starting from September of this year, the government will take over the construction of the major power grid, which has been managed by the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). There is interest in whether the expansion of the power grid, which has been delayed due to social conflicts every time construction was pursued, can proceed more rapidly.
On the 1st, the government introduced the special law for national power grid expansion, which will be implemented starting from September 26th, through a booklet titled 'Changes starting in the second half of 2025.'
According to the special law for power grid expansion, a power grid committee will be established under the Prime Minister to manage the entire process, from planning the power grid to permits and compensation.
So far, the power grid construction project has been mainly carried out by KEPCO. However, as opposition protests against the construction of the power grid have continued, making the project increasingly difficult, delays in construction have ensued.
The National Assembly enacted the special power grid law in February of this year to address this issue, and the government also approved it through a Cabinet meeting in March.
The power grid committee will be chaired by the Prime Minister, with 35 commissioners participating from key ministries, local governments, and private experts. The site selection period will be shortened from the previous 24 months to 18 months, and special provisions will be granted regarding various permits held by local governments. Compensation and support for local residents will also be expanded.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy will also begin the site selection process for high-level radioactive waste. Sites for management facilities for the storage and disposal of high-level radioactive waste inevitably generated from the use of nuclear energy will be selected, and legal grounds will also be established to support the host region.
After receiving applications from cities and counties nationwide for management facility sites, final selection will occur through a two-step site suitability investigation and resident voting process. Various assistance, including special grants, will be provided to the host region and surrounding areas.
The interim storage facility aims to commence operations in 2050, while the disposal facility is set for 2060, with the newly established management committee overseeing these tasks.