The government plans to reduce the construction of new power towers by up to 2,214 and expand underground wiring in densely populated areas. It will also support the installation of solar power facilities in villages near the national power grid, allowing residents to earn income from power generation.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment reported these measures during a cabinet meeting on September 15. The initiative aims to expand the power grid in response to increasing electricity demand from the semiconductor and data center industries, as well as the growth of renewable energy, while minimizing the impact on residents and ensuring tangible benefits for local communities. Minister Kim Sung-hwan incorporated feedback from three meetings with resident representatives and site visits in Daejeon, Geumsan, and Anseong into the plan.
Initially, the government will integrate existing and new power lines onto a single tower or install newly planned lines together. This approach will consolidate double-circuit lines into four-circuit towers. By maximizing integration in the ongoing national power grid project, the government estimates that the number of planned towers, originally set at 4,723, could be reduced to 2,509. Consequently, it plans to integrate 969 kilometers of the total 2,169 kilometers of power lines.
Additionally, the government will expand underground wiring in densely populated areas, focusing on regions such as Yuseong District in Daejeon, Jangseong County, Gunsan, Cheongyang, and Sejong and Cheongju. The underground wiring for the Shin Gyeryong to Shin Cheonan line will be considered for approximately 10 kilometers in Daejeon's densely populated areas. The plan also includes underground wiring for about 2 kilometers in the extraction area of a new 345kV substation where multiple lines converge. Alternative routes will be pursued to minimize the impact on villages of national merit, social welfare facilities, and cultural heritage sites.
The government will establish 'Solar Income Villages' to support residents' income. Of the 2 billion won (approximately $1.5 million) in support provided to local governments for each kilometer of the national power grid, about two-thirds will be allocated to nearby villages, prioritizing investments in village solar installations. The plan includes support for solar installations ranging from 300 kW to 1 MW per village, with a dedicated support team from Korea Electric Power Corporation to assist with project development and administrative procedures. The ministry estimates that households in these areas could earn up to 3 million won (about $2,250) annually.
Furthermore, the government will expand direct support for residents affected by the national power grid project and increase funding for areas near power facilities, adjusting the budget annually to account for inflation. The site selection process will require an initial public briefing and increase the number of briefings from two to three. Resident participation in the site selection committee will be generally permitted, and meeting materials will be made public, excluding personal information.
At least two candidate corridors will be identified to broaden the selection options for resident representatives. Discussions and public hearings will be held from the planning stages of the basic power supply plan and long-term transmission and transformation facility plans to assess the necessity and feasibility of power grid construction.
The government is also working to distribute over 14 GW of electricity demand from the Honam semiconductor industrial complex and data centers in Donghae and Ulsan, promoting a system where locally produced electricity is consumed locally.
Minister Kim Sung-hwan stated, "We must communicate sufficiently with residents and share tangible benefits to reduce social conflicts while timely expanding the necessary power grid. We will strengthen cooperation with residents to ensure that the expansion of the power grid leads to local development."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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