Offshore Wind Power Construction to Accelerate... Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment to Designate First Preliminary Zone This Year

Public Hearing on Subordinate Legislation for the Offshore Wind Power Act
Preliminary Zones to Be Designated in the Second Half of the Year After Formation of the Offshore Wind Power Committee
Construction Expected to Begin 35 Months After Submission of Implementation Plan
Developers Who Obtain Permits Within Three Years of the Act's Promulgation
May Be Incorporated Under the Offshore Wind Power Act System

On the 14th, government officials, including Jin-Hwa Cho, Head of Infrastructure Support Team at the Offshore Wind Power Promotion Division of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (center in the photo), responded to audience questions at the public hearing for the enactment of subordinate legislation under the Offshore Wind Power Special Act, co-hosted by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Korea Wind Energy Association. Korea Wind Energy Association

With the "Special Act on the Promotion of Offshore Wind Power Deployment and Industrial Development" set to take effect on March 26, 2026, the government has announced plans to designate the first preliminary offshore wind power zones in the second half of this year.

Once designated as a preliminary zone, the government will process all necessary permits and approvals for offshore wind power projects through a one-stop system, thereby accelerating project progress. Developers selected under the Offshore Wind Power Act are expected to begin construction within 35 months after establishing their implementation plans.

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment revealed these plans at a public hearing for the enactment of subordinate legislation under the Offshore Wind Power Act, held jointly with the Korea Wind Energy Industry Association at the Seoul Women's Plaza in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, on January 14, 2026.

At the hearing, Jin-Hwa Cho, Head of the Infrastructure Support Team at the Offshore Wind Power Promotion Division of the Ministry, stated, "Once the Offshore Wind Power Committee is formed in accordance with the Act, we aim to designate the first preliminary zone in the second half of this year."

The Offshore Wind Power Committee, affiliated with the Prime Minister's Office, will be co-chaired by the Prime Minister and a civilian, and will consist of up to 25 members, including private sector experts. The committee will deliberate and decide on matters such as the designation of preliminary and development zones, the selection of project developers, coordination among ministries, and institutional improvements. The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment will serve as secretary of the committee.

Under the Offshore Wind Power Committee, a working-level committee chaired by the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment will be established. This working-level committee will deliberate and decide on less significant matters, such as changes to basic designs, cancellation of developer selection, and mediation of disputes in public-private consultative bodies.

On the 14th, a public hearing for the establishment of subordinate legislation under the Offshore Wind Power Special Act was held at the Seoul Women's Plaza in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, hosted by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Korea Wind Energy Industry Association. Korea Wind Energy Industry Association

Once the Offshore Wind Power Act is implemented, the government will take the lead in site identification, environmental impact assessments, and securing local community acceptance for offshore wind power projects-tasks previously handled by the private sector. This is expected to accelerate the pace of offshore wind development. The government anticipates that the period from site development to groundbreaking will be reduced from the current 10 years to 6.5 years.

After the Act comes into force, the government will promote offshore wind power projects through procedures such as operating a site information network, designating preliminary zones, establishing basic designs, conducting environmental impact assessments, holding public-private consultative meetings, and designating development zones. The duration of this process may vary depending on the progress of public-private consultations to secure local acceptance. Jin-Hwa Cho explained, "If local governments conduct smooth negotiations with private stakeholders such as representatives of fishermen, the timeline can be significantly shortened."

The public-private consultative body for securing local acceptance will be co-chaired by representatives from local governments and the private sector, with private members making up more than 50 percent and public interest members (relevant experts) accounting for at least 20 percent.

After the designation of development zones, the government will select project developers. Once the selected developer submits an implementation plan detailing the project and completes the environmental assessment, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment will process 28 permits and approvals through a one-stop system.

The implementation plan prepared by the project developer must include details such as the location and area of the power generation zone, project duration, financing plan, implementation of public-private consultation results, compensation for losses, security and disaster preparedness, industrial contributions, safety assurance, and site restoration.

After completing the permitting process, the project developer can begin construction upon notification. Jin-Hwa Cho stated, "It is expected to take 35 months from the submission of the implementation plan to groundbreaking."

For seven key issues that have drawn attention-including transitional measures for existing developers, incorporation of aggregated complexes into development zones, establishment of the site information network, special provisions for public water surface usage fees, preparation of environmental assessment reports, benefit-sharing for local residents, and the promotion and support of offshore wind power deployment-the government plans to issue separate notifications before the Act takes effect.

The supplementary provisions of the Offshore Wind Power Act specify that developers who obtained power generation business permits before the Act's enforcement may continue their businesses under the Electric Utility Act, but the details are delegated to subordinate legislation.

In this regard, the Ministry is considering a plan to allow developers who obtain power generation business permits within three years after the Act is promulgated to be incorporated as offshore wind power developers under the Act, provided they meet certain criteria. The maximum incorporation period is expected to be eight years.

Accordingly, developers who installed wind measurement equipment before the Act was promulgated may also be recognized as offshore wind power developers under the Act if they obtain a power generation business permit by March 25, 2028. Developers can choose whether to proceed under the existing legal framework or to be incorporated under the Offshore Wind Power Act system.

However, an official from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated, "Special provisions for public water surface usage fees will apply only to project developers selected under the Offshore Wind Power Special Act."

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment has also decided to give preferential treatment to coal-fired power generation businesses of 200 megawatts (MW) or more that pursue offshore wind power projects as part of their energy transition. In addition, designated planned sites will include not only fixed-bottom offshore wind but also floating offshore wind projects.

Separately from the implementation of the Offshore Wind Power Act, the government also plans to announce the long-term offshore wind power bidding roadmap as scheduled in the first half of this year.