Policy & Legal Framework
Legislation
The Special Act and the foundational statutes in full, followed by bills tracked through the Assembly.
Entries
| Date | Document | Source / agency | Korean original Free members | English translation Premium members |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Offshore Wind Special Act해상풍력 보급 촉진 및 산업 육성에 관한 특별법 · 시행령 · 시행규칙The framework law that turns Korea’s offshore wind from developer-led projects into a government-led planned-siting regime: the single most consequential piece of the legal framework. In force since 26 March 2026 together with its Enforcement Decree and Enforcement Rules.Key provisions (6)
| Ministry of Climate, Energy & Environment | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF | |
Act on the Promotion of the Development, Use and Diffusion of Renewable Energy재생에너지 개발ㆍ이용ㆍ보급 촉진법The foundational renewable-energy law. It establishes the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS, in force since 2012) obliging generators above 500 MW to supply a rising share from renewables; the Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) market and its offshore-wind distance and depth multipliers; and the fixed-price competitive auction (a 20-year REC offtake) through which offshore-wind projects are selected. Administered by the Ministry of Climate, Energy & Environment (some provisions by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources) and the Korea Energy Agency (KEA).Key provisions (4)
| Ministry of Climate, Energy & Environment / Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF | |
Electric Utility Act전기사업법The backbone law of the electricity industry. It governs the Electricity Business Licence (EBL) (the anchor generation permit every offshore-wind project must hold) together with the wholesale power market, grid connection and transmission, and the roles of KEPCO and the generation companies. Administered by the Ministry of Climate, Energy & Environment and the Electricity Regulatory Commission.Key provisions (4)
| Ministry of Climate, Energy & Environment | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF | |
Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth기후위기 대응을 위한 탄소중립·녹색성장 기본법The climate framework law (promulgated September 2021, in force March 2022). It legislates the 2050 carbon-neutrality goal and the 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (a 40% cut from 2018 levels) that drive the renewable-energy expansion offshore wind serves. In 2024 the Constitutional Court found the absence of binding 2031-2049 targets unconstitutional, requiring the government to strengthen them.Key provisions (4)
| Government | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF | |
Energy Act에너지법The general framework for national energy policy. It provides the basis for the national energy master plan, energy statistics and technology policy that set the long-term direction within which renewable and offshore-wind deployment is planned. Administered by the Ministry of Climate, Energy & Environment.Key provisions (3)
| Ministry of Climate, Energy & Environment | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF | |
Distributed Energy Activation Act분산에너지 활성화 특별법A 2024 law promoting distributed generation and local consumption to relieve grid congestion. It introduces distributed-energy special zones and demand-siting measures: increasingly relevant to how large offshore-wind capacity connects to, and is absorbed by, the grid. Administered by the Ministry of Climate, Energy & Environment.Key provisions (4)
| Ministry of Climate, Energy & Environment | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF | |
| 2026-07-29 Enacted | Partial Amendment to the Electric Utility Act (Committee Alternative)전기사업법 일부개정법률안(대안)A committee alternative bill proposed by the chair of the Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee amending the Electric Utility Act. The National Assembly passed it on 2026-08-20. It was promulgated on 2026-09-15 as Act No. 21944.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | Translation in preparation |
| 2026-07-29 Enacted | Partial Amendment to the Electric Power Source Development Promotion Act (Committee Alternative)전원개발촉진법 일부개정법률안(대안)A committee alternative bill proposed by the chair of the Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee amending the Electric Power Source Development Promotion Act. The National Assembly passed it on 2026-08-20. It was promulgated on 2026-09-15 as Act No. 21945.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | Translation in preparation |
| 2026-07-29 Enacted | Partial Amendment to the Act on the Promotion of the Development, Use and Diffusion of Renewable Energy (Committee Alternative)신에너지 및 재생에너지 개발·이용·보급 촉진법 일부개정법률안(대안)A committee alternative bill proposed by the chair of the Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee amending the Act on the Promotion of the Development, Use and Diffusion of Renewable Energy. The National Assembly passed it on 2026-08-20. It was promulgated on 2026-09-15 as Act No. 21943.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | Translation in preparation |
| 2026-04-15 In review | Partial Amendment to the Special Act on the Promotion of Offshore Wind Power Deployment and the Development of Related Industries해상풍력 보급 촉진 및 산업 육성에 관한 특별법 일부개정법률안This member's bill amends the offshore wind power promotion law to require the national government and local governments to consider impacts on national security when pursuing or supporting offshore wind projects, and mandates that offshore wind developers include assessments of effects on military operations and corresponding mitigation measures in their implementation plans. The bill also adds the National Intelligence Service director as an ex officio committee member and expands selection criteria for developers to include contributions to energy and maritime security.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |
| 2026-03-31 In review | Act on Benefit-Sharing from Shared Equity Stakes in Offshore Wind Power해상풍력 공유지분의 이익공유에 관한 법률안This member's bill establishes a framework for distributing profits from public equity stakes in offshore wind projects. Under the related Offshore Wind Promotion and Industry Development Special Act (effective March 2026), the state can acquire up to 20% equity stakes in offshore wind projects as a condition of project participation; this bill regulates how profits from those public equity stakes are shared with the public, designating Korean nationals, local residents, and foreign permanent residents as beneficiaries, with 70% of equity-based profits distributed to the public and 30% to the local offshore wind development area.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |
| 2026-03-31 In review | Amendment to the Special Act on the Promotion of Offshore Wind Power Deployment and the Development of Related Industries해상풍력 보급 촉진 및 산업 육성에 관한 특별법 일부개정법률안This member's bill introduces a 'shared equity' mechanism allowing the state to acquire up to 20% equity stakes in offshore wind projects as a condition for developer selection, ensuring public benefit from government-provided resources such as site designation and permitting support. Revenue from shared equity would be managed under a separate dedicated law and benefit the public and local residents, while the bill also strengthens preferential treatment for public energy institutions by clarifying consideration of energy security and public interest in their support.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |
| 2026-03-17 In review | Partial Amendment to the Public Waters Management and Reclamation Act공유수면 관리 및 매립에 관한 법률 일부개정법률안This member's bill amends the Public Waters Management and Reclamation Act to specify the scope and content of mandatory consultations between the public waters management authority and related government agencies when issuing occupation and use permits for wind power facilities and other renewable energy equipment on public waters. Specifically, it requires consultations to explicitly include matters concerning maritime traffic safety, aviation safety and navigation aid facility operations, and impacts on military operations and military facilities: addressing concerns raised by recent offshore wind installations near Busan that were found to affect maritime traffic and military operations. The bill is currently under committee review.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |
| 2026-01-28 In review | Act on the Promotion of Development, Use and Dissemination of New and Renewable Energy (Partial Amendment)재생에너지 개발ㆍ이용ㆍ보급 촉진법 일부개정법률안This member's bill establishes public management principles for renewable energy development by adding publicization as a legislative purpose, mandating phased renewable energy targets (30% by 2030, 60% by 2040, 100% by 2050 of total electricity production), and requiring public facilities' generation ratio targets in basic plans. The bill also introduces mandatory community consultation procedures, creates a 10% contribution burden on renewable energy operators for local climate response funds, and mandates just transition support for coal and nuclear workers transitioning to public renewable energy facilities. The bill is currently under committee review as of January 28, 2026.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |
| 2026-01-16 In review | Partial Amendment to the Public Waters Management and Reclamation Act공유수면 관리 및 매립에 관한 법률 일부개정법률안This member's bill proposes to redirect 50% of seabed usage fees and charges collected from offshore wind power installation and operation in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) from the national government to the nearest metropolitan or provincial government, rather than having all fees accrue to the state. The amendment aims to provide financial benefits to fishing communities directly affected by offshore wind development and improve local acceptance of such projects, which have been expanding into deeper waters.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |
| 2026-01-08 Discarded | Partial Amendment to the New and Renewable Energy Development, Use, and Dissemination Promotion Act재생에너지 개발ㆍ이용ㆍ보급 촉진법 일부개정법률안This member's bill proposes replacing the current Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) system with a government-led renewable energy facility contracting market system. The new system would establish renewable energy supply targets for power generators and public institutions, require entities with generation facilities above a certain size to supply renewable energy, and allow compliance through fixed-price payments or exemptions. The bill aims to stabilize renewable energy procurement through long-term fixed-price contracts and includes provisions for small-scale facilities, aggregators, and comprehensive renewable energy service providers to participate in the contracting market, addressing supply-demand imbalances and price volatility issues in the current REC market while supporting carbon neutrality goals. The bill was discarded on 2026-08-20 after being reflected in a committee alternative.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |
| 2025-10-30 Discarded | Partial Amendment to the Electric Utility Act전기사업법 일부개정법률안Three member bills seek to amend the Electric Utility Act to establish a new category of electric utility business for renewable energy shared grid connection facilities (SPCs). The bills propose to add 'renewable energy shared grid connection facility business' to the scope of electricity business, enabling SPCs built by multiple renewable energy developers (including offshore wind and solar farms) to obtain project developer status and ministerial permits. This aims to reduce redundant infrastructure investments, enhance grid stability, and facilitate renewable energy expansion by establishing legal basis for timely construction of shared connection facilities. The bill was discarded on 2026-08-20 after being reflected in a committee alternative.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |
| 2025-10-30 Discarded | Partial Amendment to the Electric Utility Act전기사업법 일부개정법률안Three related member bills seek to amend the Electric Utility Act to create a new category of electric business for renewable energy shared grid connection facilities (SPCs). The bills would define 'renewable energy shared grid connection facility business' as a new electricity business type, enabling SPCs to obtain permits from the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and to construct (but not maintain/operate) shared transmission and distribution infrastructure, thereby reducing redundant investments, improving grid stability, and accelerating renewable energy deployment. The bill was discarded on 2026-08-20 after being reflected in a committee alternative.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |
| 2025-10-30 Discarded | Amendment to the Electric Power Source Development Promotion Act전원개발촉진법 일부개정법률안This member's bill seeks to grant renewable energy shared grid connection facility operators (SPCs licensed under the Electric Utility Act) the legal status of 'power development business operators' under the Electric Power Source Development Promotion Act. The amendment would enable efficient shared grid infrastructure for large-scale renewable energy complexes by allowing these operators to access streamlined permitting and land acquisition authority, thereby enhancing grid stability and accelerating renewable energy deployment. The bill was discarded on 2026-08-20 after being reflected in a committee alternative.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |
| 2025-10-29 Discarded | Partial Amendment to the Electric Utility Act전기사업법 일부개정법률안Three member bills seek to amend the Electric Utility Act to establish a new category of electricity business for entities constructing shared grid connection facilities used jointly by multiple renewable energy generators, particularly large-scale offshore wind and solar projects. The bill was discarded on 2026-08-20 after being reflected in a committee alternative.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |
| 2025-10-29 Discarded | Partial Amendment to the Electric Power Source Development Promotion Act전원개발촉진법 일부개정법률안The bill amends the Electric Power Source Development Promotion Act to designate renewable energy shared grid connection facility operators (including special purpose companies jointly established by multiple electricity businesses) as electricity development project operators. This change enables these operators to participate in power development projects and access licensing exemptions and land acquisition authorities, addressing delays in shared connection facility construction for offshore wind and solar projects caused by current restrictions that only recognize individual project developers, transmission operators, and radioactive waste managers as project implementers. The bill was discarded on 2026-08-20 after being reflected in a committee alternative.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |
| 2025-09-25 In review | Partial Amendment to the New and Renewable Energy Development, Use, and Promotion Act재생에너지 개발ㆍ이용ㆍ보급 촉진법 일부개정법률안A member's bill under committee review proposes systematic support for community-based renewable energy development by mandating regional governments to establish five-year renewable energy plans, requiring inclusion of cooperative and community enterprise support mechanisms in the central basic plan, and allowing up to 80% reduction in rental rates for state and public property used by cooperatives and community entities. The bill also establishes mandatory renewable energy certificate procurement quotas for obligated suppliers, requiring a specified percentage to be sourced from cooperatives and community enterprises, and enables nearby residents to participate in generation projects above a certain scale through bond purchases, equity investment, and fund participation mechanisms.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |
| 2025-06-13 In review | Partial Amendment to the Public Waters Management and Reclamation Act공유수면 관리 및 매립에 관한 법률 일부개정법률안This member's bill, under committee review since June 2025, modifies how occupation and usage fees are calculated for public waters used by renewable energy facilities, particularly offshore wind. Currently, fees are calculated proportionally to adjacent land prices, creating excessive economic burden for offshore wind projects located in exclusive economic zones far from shore. The bill proposes to cap these fees at an amount calculated by multiplying the revenue generated from the facility's operation by a ratio to be set by presidential decree, aiming to reduce financial burden on renewable energy operators and promote clean energy deployment.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |
| 2025-02-26 Enacted | Special Act on the Promotion of Offshore Wind Power Deployment and the Development of Related Industries (Revised)해상풍력 보급 촉진 및 산업 육성에 관한 특별법안(대안)This special act, proposed by a committee chair, has been enacted to facilitate the expansion of offshore wind power deployment and foster the development of related industries in Korea. The bill was promulgated on February 26, 2025.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |
| 2025-02-06 In review | Bill on Planned Siting and Industrial Development of Offshore Wind해상풍력 계획입지 및 산업육성에 관한 법률안A member's bill proposing a legal framework for planned siting of offshore wind projects and promotion of the offshore wind industry. The bill is currently under committee review as of February 2025.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |
| 2024-12-13 In review | Special Act for Promoting Offshore Wind Power Generation in Response to Climate Crisis기후위기 대응을 위한 해상풍력발전 보급촉진 특별법안A member's bill proposing special measures to accelerate offshore wind power deployment as part of climate crisis mitigation efforts. The bill is currently under committee review as of December 2024.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |
| 2024-11-13 Discarded | Special Act for Offshore Wind Power Supply and Industry Development해상풍력 보급 및 산업육성을 위한 특별법안A member's bill to establish integrated governance for offshore wind development by introducing planned siting designation procedures, public-private consultation mechanisms for stakeholder acceptance, and systematic administrative support for licensing and permitting. The bill aims to expand offshore wind capacity through government-led site identification, support supply chain activation, and foster industry competitiveness to achieve South Korea's carbon neutrality goals. The bill was discarded after being merged into an alternative proposal.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |
| 2024-11-04 Discarded | Special Act on Planned Siting and Industrial Promotion of Offshore Wind Power해상풍력의 계획입지 및 산업육성에 관한 특별법안This member's bill establishes a specialized legal framework for offshore wind development through government-led planned siting rather than individual project developer discovery. The bill creates an integrated administrative process including a Presidential-level Offshore Wind Power Committee and Ministry-level task force to designate preliminary and development districts, secure stakeholder acceptance through public-private consultative bodies, and streamline approximately 30 separate permits into a unified approval mechanism. The bill aims to advance carbon neutrality targets while addressing conflicts with fishing communities and ensuring sustainable coexistence of offshore wind and fisheries industries.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |
| 2024-10-29 Discarded | Special Act on Planned Offshore Wind Farm Sites and Offshore Wind Industry Development해상풍력 계획입지 및 풍력산업발전에 관한 법률안This member's bill proposes a specialized legal framework to address fragmented governance in offshore wind development, which currently requires individual developers to secure approximately 30 permits and navigate stakeholder acceptance independently. The bill establishes a government-led system for identifying suitable offshore wind sites, creates the Offshore Wind Power Committee under the Prime Minister and the Offshore Wind Promotion Group under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to coordinate permitting and planning, and streamlines environmental and marine impact assessments. It also includes provisions for supply chain activation, workforce development, demonstration projects, and international cooperation to advance the domestic offshore wind industry while supporting South Korea's carbon neutrality goals. The bill was proposed on 29 October 2024 and has since been discarded after merging into an alternative proposal.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |
| 2024-09-30 Discarded | Special Act for Promoting Offshore Wind Power Deployment and Industry Development해상풍력 보급 활성화와 산업육성을 위한 특별법안This member's bill establishes a framework for systematic offshore wind development through planned site designation, integrated administrative procedures, and industry support mechanisms. The bill creates a National Offshore Wind Power Committee, requires joint operation of an offshore wind site information system, streamlines environmental and maritime impact assessments, and provides measures to support demonstration sites, workforce development, and international competitiveness. The bill was discarded after being merged into an alternative proposal.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |
| 2024-09-26 Discarded | Special Act on the Promotion of Offshore Wind Power Deployment and the Development of Related Industries해상풍력발전 보급촉진 특별법안This member's bill proposes special legislative measures to facilitate the adoption and development of offshore wind power generation in South Korea. The bill was discarded on September 26, 2024, after being merged into an alternative legislative proposal.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |
| 2024-09-26 Discarded | Special Act on Planned Offshore Wind Sites and Industry Revitalization해상풍력 계획입지 및 산업 활성화에 관한 특별법안This member's bill proposes establishing a framework for designated offshore wind development areas and measures to activate the offshore wind industry. The bill was discarded as its provisions were merged into an alternative legislative proposal.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |
| 2024-06-24 In review | Partial Amendment to the Public Waters Management and Reclamation Act공유수면 관리 및 매립에 관한 법률 일부개정법률안This member's bill proposes to restrict permits for new and renewable energy facilities (including offshore wind turbines and wind measurement devices) on public waters to only those facilities pre-identified in marine spatial management plans developed by the government. Currently, private developers individually select sites and obtain permits, causing stakeholder conflicts and uncoordinated development; the amendment requires government to comprehensively assess impacts on fishing, marine traffic, and ecosystems before designating suitable locations in marine spatial plans, with the public waters management authority then granting permits only for facilities included in those plans. The bill is under committee review as of June 2024.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |
| 2024-06-20 Discarded | Special Act on Planned Siting and Industrial Promotion for Offshore Wind해상풍력 계획입지 및 산업육성에 관한 특별법안A member's bill proposing a special legal framework for designated offshore wind development areas and related industry promotion measures. The bill was discarded in June 2024 after being merged into an alternative legislative proposal.
| National Assembly | Source ↗ | EN translation · PDF |