The South Korean government will resume the power grid access procedures for renewable energy in the Honam region, which had been restricted since September 2024. Until new transmission and distribution networks are completed, the government plans to enhance the existing grid's capacity using flexible connections and energy storage systems (ESS), while also reclaiming access rights from long-delayed projects.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment reported this 'Power Grid Innovation Plan' during a Cabinet meeting on September 29. The government aims to reform the power grid access system and operations to accommodate over 100 GW of renewable energy by 2030.
On October 1, the ministry will lift the designation of the Honam regional management substation. Previously, new renewable energy projects in the Honam area could only connect to the grid after 2034 due to bottlenecks in the transmission and distribution networks. Some areas in Chungcheong will also see new connections become available.
The newly available capacity will be prioritized for existing applicants. Starting next month, early access applications will be accepted for grid reviews, with new projects able to apply from January 2027. The designation of the substation for the East Coast region will be lifted in the first half of next year, following the completion of the first phase of the East Coast to Singapyeong high-voltage direct current transmission line.
The government will formally introduce 'flexible connections,' which allow additional access under conditions that control output when solar generation temporarily exceeds the grid's capacity. The solar connection limit for distribution lines will increase from 14 MW to 16 MW, and for substations from 50 MW to 60 MW. This is expected to enable the additional accommodation of 2.6 GW of solar power in the Honam region without the need for separate grid construction.
Additionally, the government will promote a 'non-expansion alternative' that increases the utilization of the existing grid by using ESS to store solar power generated during the day for nighttime supply. By 2030, the government plans to add 3 GW of solar capacity through distribution network ESS and 1.6 GW through substation ESS.
The government will also address the issue of 'grid hoarding,' where long-delayed projects occupy grid access. It has already reclaimed about 9 GW of access rights from inactive projects. Moving forward, the government plans to adjust the connection timelines for delayed offshore wind projects, aiming to reclaim over 10 GW of access rights in the Honam region by 2030.
The method of distributing access rights, which was previously based on 100% project implementation, will change. From 2031 onward, the distribution will reflect the actual implementation rate of 67.2% for new entrants.
The current first-come, first-served access rights system will transition to a competitive bidding process starting in January 2027. Bids will be evaluated based on economic viability, public interest, and grid conditions, with successful bidders receiving fixed-price contracts and access rights. Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) will invest in strengthening the shared distribution network upfront, with participating businesses sharing the costs based on their capacity.
As a result of these measures, the renewable energy capacity is expected to increase from 119 GW to 171 GW at the transmission level and from 84 GW to 110 GW at the distribution level by 2030. In the Honam region, transmission capacity is projected to rise from 37 GW to 64 GW, while distribution capacity will expand from 18 GW to 30 GW.
Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment Kim Seong-hwan stated, "Rather than waiting for new power grids to be built, we will maximize the efficient use of the existing grid. We are now able to restart new renewable energy connections in Honam."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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