Plans are underway to utilize a portion of the local government support funds provided to areas with power lines for solar energy projects in nearby villages. This initiative aims to establish a revenue-sharing model for residents and allows them to propose alternative routes or sites during the process of determining the location of power lines.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced on the 21st that it will begin legislative and administrative notifications regarding amendments to the 'Special Act on the Expansion of the National Power Grid' starting on the 22nd. This follows the report on the 'Measures to Enhance Acceptance of Power Line Construction' presented at the Cabinet meeting on September 15.
The core of the initiative is to link support for power line construction to sustainable income for villages. Local governments receiving support for the national power grid will receive 2 billion won per kilometer of overhead power lines. Up to two-thirds of this amount will be allocated to areas surrounding substations, with priority given to villages pursuing solar energy projects for installation costs. This approach supports residents' participation in village solar projects and sharing of revenue from electricity generation.
For the projects to proceed, residents must express their willingness to participate, secure land, and meet grid connection conditions. The ministry plans to collaborate with local governments and Korea Electric Power Corporation to identify pilot projects for 'Grid Solar Income Villages' that meet these criteria. They will assess the feasibility and expected revenue for each candidate village and provide support for project planning and participation procedures.
The process for determining power line routes will also increase opportunities for resident involvement. Before forming the site selection committee, public information sessions will be held at the city, county, and district levels, expanding the number of sessions from two to three. This aims to inform residents about the project and gather their opinions before the site is finalized.
Residents will generally be allowed to observe the site selection committee meetings. After the meetings, decisions and materials will be made public, excluding personal information. The amendments will also establish a basis for officials from regional and local environmental agencies to participate in committees related to national power grid facilities.
Alternative proposals from residents will also be considered in the site review process. If residents submit alternative routes or sites in writing, the committee can review and select them as candidate sites through deliberation and voting. When determining candidate sites, the committee will generally aim to identify at least two options for comparison and review.
Measures to reduce the impact on residents caused by overlapping power facilities are also included. The review of candidate routes will prioritize options that utilize existing lines or share towers with new lines. If multiple substations are located within the same city, county, or district, the site selection committees may be combined or operated concurrently.
The proposed amendments will be finalized after gathering opinions and undergoing review. The legislative notification for the enforcement decree will be conducted until December 1, and the administrative notification will take place until November 11.
Lee Jae-sik, the Director of Power Grid Policy at the Ministry of Climate, stated, "We will improve the system so that residents near power line construction can share the revenue from village solar projects and participate in site selection from the beginning of the project."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.