Kim Sung-hwan, the Minister of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, is implementing measures to enhance community acceptance and reduce conflicts that have arisen during the expansion of the national power grid. The key strategies include minimizing the construction of new towers and increasing transparency in the site selection process.
On August 5, the ministry held the third meeting with representatives from communities opposing power grid construction at the Power Infrastructure Center in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. During this meeting, they unveiled a plan titled 'Measures to Enhance Community Acceptance in Power Grid Construction.'
This meeting was organized based on feedback gathered from community representatives and site visits since the second meeting held in May. The government plans to finalize the measures after further consultations with community representatives and Korea Electric Power Corporation.
The government aims to reduce the need for long-distance power lines by encouraging the decentralization of large-scale power-demand industries outside the capital region and promoting a 'local production, local consumption' power grid system. Ongoing national power grid projects will be pursued with a focus on minimizing the burden on residents.
To achieve this, the government is considering options such as sharing existing power lines or integrating new routes to minimize the construction of new towers, as well as expanding underground sections in densely populated areas. Additionally, they plan to enhance transparency in the site selection process by holding community briefings from the early stages of projects, making meeting materials public, and allowing residents to attend meetings. The criteria for the operation of the site selection committee, currently governed by internal regulations of Korea Electric Power Corporation, will also be formalized through government notification to strengthen the institutional framework.
Furthermore, the government will improve the system to ensure that local government support funds under the Special Act on Power Networks are prioritized for residents in affected areas, and plans to establish measures for community coexistence, including income-sharing initiatives.
After incorporating feedback from this meeting, the government plans to finalize and announce the measures to enhance community acceptance through the practical working committee for the expansion of the national power grid.
Minister Kim stated, "The expansion of the power grid is an urgent task that cannot be delayed any longer for energy transition and the development of advanced industries. We will continue to reduce the burden on residents while ensuring transparency in site selection, adequate compensation, and support, along with sincere communication."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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