"Reducing Uncertainty in Onshore Wind Power"... Strengthening Environmental Review

"Contribution to Expanding Wind Power Deployment Essential for Renewable Energy 3020"

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government has decided to strengthen environmental reviews during the permitting process to reduce uncertainties in onshore wind power projects.

On the 26th, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that it had completed the revision of the "Detailed Permit Standards for Power Generation Projects," which was promoted as part of the "Onshore Wind Power Activation Plan" announced on August 23 last year.

The revised notice newly established regulations requiring environmental review grounds at the permit stage of onshore wind power projects and mandatory prior consultation with the Korea Forest Service when the project site includes national forest land.

Based on these regulations, the "Wind Power Promotion Support Group" under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy plans to conduct preliminary environmental reviews using the "Onshore Wind Power Site Map" and site consulting (Ministry of Environment). The results will be submitted during the Electricity Committee's review of onshore wind power project permits.

The Support Group was newly established within the Korea Energy Agency on the 6th of last month. It consists of 18 members, including related organizations such as Korea Electric Power Corporation and six power generation companies, as well as environmental and forestry private experts. It provides one-on-one close support for wind power projects.

Site consulting is a system where local environmental offices provide free consultations on the suitability of the planned site before environmental impact assessments, upon the applicant's request.

Additionally, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy plans to unify the reception window for prior consultations with the Korea Forest Service to the "Wind Power Promotion Support Group." This will enhance convenience for project developers and improve the quality of consultations.

The Ministry expects that the revised notice will not only reduce project uncertainties but also contribute to the expansion of wind power deployment.

An official from the Ministry said, "Expanding wind power deployment is essential to successfully achieve the Renewable Energy 3020 goals. Through this institutional improvement, we will continue to promote the spread and expansion of onshore wind power projects that combine economic feasibility and environmental sustainability."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.