The South Korean government is establishing nationwide distance regulations for solar and wind energy installations, which have varied significantly by region. Solar installations must now be set back a maximum of 200 meters from residential areas, while wind turbines cannot exceed a distance of 1.5 kilometers. Local governments currently enforcing stricter regulations will need to amend their ordinances.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment announced on August 11 that a partial amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Promotion of Development, Use, and Distribution of New and Renewable Energy was approved during a Cabinet meeting. This new regulation will take effect on September 18, aligning with the revised Renewable Energy Act passed in March.
A key change in this amendment is the establishment of a national upper limit for the distances that local governments can set for renewable energy installations. Currently, 129 out of 228 local governments have regulations in place, with distances for solar ranging from 100 to 1,000 meters and for wind from 100 to 2,000 meters, leading to significant discrepancies based on location.
This inconsistency has made it difficult for developers to assess the feasibility of projects and has limited available sites for renewable energy facilities. The government's decision to set a national maximum aims to address these issues.
Under the new decree, if local governments set distance regulations for solar installations, they cannot exceed 200 meters from residential areas with five or more homes. Regulations based on road proximity for solar installations are prohibited.
For example, if a local government currently requires solar installations to be at least 300 meters from residential areas, it will need to revise this to comply with the new 200-meter limit. Conversely, areas already adhering to a 100-meter distance will not need to change their ordinances.
Wind energy regulations allow local governments to set distances of up to 1,500 meters from residential areas and 500 meters from roads, ensuring a minimum distance equal to twice the height of the wind turbine for safety.
Not all renewable energy installations are subject to these distance regulations. Community-participation projects, rooftop solar installations, and self-consumption solar systems are exempt.
The government aims to promote community participation in renewable energy projects and enhance local acceptance of renewable energy initiatives.
Officials emphasized that the newly established distances are not rigid requirements but rather upper limits that local governments must not exceed when creating their regulations. Shorter distances can still be applied.
As a result, local governments with stricter existing ordinances are expected to revise them. The Ministry of Climate plans to hold briefings for local governments to ensure necessary amendments are made before the law takes effect on September 18.
The legal framework for renewable energy is also changing. Previously, new energy and renewable energy were governed under a single law, but they will now be separated into the 'Act on the Promotion of Development, Use, and Distribution of Renewable Energy' and the 'Hydrogen Economy Promotion and Hydrogen Safety Management Act.' Corresponding enforcement decrees will also be separated and revised.
Lee Kyung-soo, Director of Renewable Energy Policy at the Ministry of Climate, stated, "This amendment establishes a national upper limit for distances that varied by region, enhancing predictability for renewable energy projects while considering community acceptance. We will continue to communicate with local governments to ensure the system is effectively implemented and contributes to the expansion of renewable energy supply."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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