The South Korean Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment has announced plans to redesign the power grid system to supply more than 100 GW of renewable energy by 2030 (South Korean government press release, 29/09/2026).
According to the “Power Grid Innovation Measures” report, the government and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) are implementing five strategies to ensure transmission and distribution network construction as a mid to long term solution to existing bottleneck problems, while in the short term the plan employs “grid system and operational innovation”.
The first strategy consists of the implementation of a flexible grid access system, represented by a shift of priority access to the grid (from rated capacity to connections exceeding the grid capacity and non-firm access), and the addition of a “voluntary connection system” allowing operators to install renewable energy facilities exceeding their connection capacity and adjust and manage output within permitted standard capacity using energy storage systems (ESS) and other means.
Secondly, the government plans to actively promote Non-Wire Alternatives (NWAs) using energy storage systems (ESS) to maximise the use of existing transmission and distribution networks without the need for new transmission and distribution network construction.
The third strategy modifies the grant of access rights by their adjustment in advance until the actual time of use for virtual projects and long-term delayed projects, while the implementation rate will also pass from an estimated 100% to an adjusted percentage based on variables such as permit delays and changes in business conditions.
The fourth strategy consists of the prioritisation renewable projects over fossil fuel projects and changing the “first-come, first-served basis” for a competitive bidding basis for grid access rights. With this, an additional 20 GW of new renewable capacity is expected to be accepted in the grid (based on 2030).
Finally, KEPCO is expected to invest in distribution network reinforcement costs, and to develop a plan for power generation operators who will use the system to share costs according to their installed capacity.
Altogether, the new measures are expected to allow an increase of 52 GW of renewable capacity from 119 GW to 171 GW in transmission by 2030, while distribution capacity is expected to increase by 26 GW from 84 GW to 110 GW.
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