[Conflict in Renewable Energy] Government and Local Governments Clash Over 'Maeulyeop Solar Power' Installation

Government: "Solar Power Generation Possible Near Roads"
Local Governments Reject Due to "Concerns Over Resident Harm"... Conscious of Local Voters' Sentiment

Despite the Ministry of Industry's Guidelines,
the Number of Local Governments Creating Regulations Has Increased... From 22 in 2017 to 129 This Year

Conflicts Over Saline Reclaimed Land Power Generation Standards
Current Standard Measures Soil Depth of 30cm or More... Local Governments Want to Change It to Less Than 20cm
As the Speed of Carbon Neutrality Accelerates, Conflicts Between Central and Local Governments Are Likely to Intensify

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Ju Sang-don] Conflicts surrounding renewable energy are not limited to within regions. From the perspective of local governments sensitive to regional votes, the government's rapid push for carbon neutrality through renewable energy is unwelcome. Especially, concerns are rising that conflicts with local governments, which face local elections next year, will intensify if the government accelerates the energy transition.

The current core issue between the central and local governments is the setback distance standards for installing solar and wind power plants. The setback distance refers to the distance between the power plant and roads or villages. While the central government recommends eliminating or minimizing these distances, local governments are instead strengthening setback distance standards.

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy as of August this year, a total of 129 basic local governments have introduced 'solar setback distance regulations.' In these cities and counties, solar panels can only be installed at locations more than 1000 meters away from roads and residential areas.

◆The Increasing Solar Setback Distance Regulations= The government basically holds the position that 'there should be no setback distance.' Previously, in 2017, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, as part of improving regulations on new energy industries, jointly sent guidelines with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to local governments to abolish setback distance regulations in principle or minimize them to within 100 meters. However, the number of local governments introducing setback distance standards has continuously increased: 22 in 2017, 90 in 2018, 122 in 2019, 128 in 2020, and 129 in 2021.

The level of solar setback distance regulations varies greatly by local government, ranging from 20 to 1000 meters around roads and residential areas. For example, Uljin-gun in Gyeongbuk requires solar panels to be set back more than 1000 meters from roads but has no standards for residential areas. In Cheongsong-gun, solar power plants can only be built more than 1000 meters from roads and more than 500 meters from residential areas. Gurye and Jangheung counties in Jeonnam have set the same setback distances as Cheongsong-gun.

There are also 53 local governments that have established and applied setback distance standards for wind power plants. For instance, Bonghwa-gun, Sangju-si, Yeongju-si in Gyeongbuk, and Gwangyang-si, Suncheon-si, Yeongam-gun in Jeonnam have set standards of 2000 meters from roads and 2000 meters from residential areas. Some local governments allow wind power plants only at locations more than 100 meters away from roads and residential areas. However, there is still no central government-level guideline on setback distances.

Local governments that have introduced and operate setback distances for solar and wind power plants argue that setback distance regulations are inevitable due to resident damages caused by power plant installations. A local government official explained, "Complaints have continuously arisen that solar power plants built right next to houses or livestock barns cause harm such as electromagnetic waves, heavy metals, and glare," adding, "Setback distance regulations are a measure to minimize local residents' concerns."

The solar industry is appealing that setback distance regulations are hindering the spread of solar power plants. A representative from the Korea Photovoltaic Industry Association said, "In one local government that introduced setback distances, only 10% of the total land is available for solar installation," and added, "The setback distance levels vary too much by local government, causing disruptions to projects. Clear setback distance standards at the government level are needed."

The Ministry of Industry also agrees on the necessity of introducing uniform setback distance standards. Previously, the Ministry announced in the '5th Basic Plan for New and Renewable Energy Technology Development, Utilization, and Dissemination' established in 2020 that it would consider establishing special provisions on setback distances in the Renewable Energy Act or drafting standard ordinances. A Ministry official explained, "We are currently conducting a research project to establish reasonable setback distance standards, and the results are expected within this year," adding, "Based on this, we plan to consult with local governments to create standards for setback distances for solar and wind power plants."

◆Salinity Measurement Standards for Reclaimed Land Not Reflecting Reality= The government and local governments also differ on the salinity standards for reclaimed land where solar installation is permitted. Following the 2018 amendment to the Farmland Act, solar power projects became possible on reclaimed farmland with salinity of 5.5 ds (decisiemens) or higher per meter. At this time, salinity is measured based on deep soil (30?60 cm). A Naju city official emphasized, "Typically, rice farming uses only 20?30 cm from the surface, but salinity is measured by sampling deeper soil," and added, "We have requested the government to change the sampling standard to the topsoil layer less than 20 cm."

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to improve salinity judgment standards. A ministry official said, "We plan to start a research project soon on the appropriateness of salinity standards and sampling depth," adding, "Currently, if requested by local government heads, the salinity measurement location can be changed to topsoil (0?30 cm), but this is not widely used, so we plan to establish specific standards for this."