含羞草社区

The Republic of Korea (South Korea) promulgated a Special Act on the Promotion of Offshore Wind Power Distribution and Industrial Development (OSW Promotion Act) in March 2025, which substantially alters the regulatory landscape for domestic offshore wind power development.

The OSW Promotion Act will replace South Korea’s existing “open door” policy for offshore wind power development with a government-directed and facilitated process, including a “one-stop shop” regulatory committee and a “fast-track” to obtain most required licences and permits. Specific details are expected to be publicised (with an opportunity for public comment) in the coming months through an enforcement decree and enforcement rules supplemental to the OSW Promotion Act.

Implications

The key implications of the OSW Promotion Act include the following.

Immediate cessation of new PWOPs. The restriction on the issuance of new PWOPs is effective immediately on promulgation. Going forward, any OSW projects that have not already obtained a PWOP may only be developed following selection to participate in a government-designated power generation zone.

One-stop shop and fast-track permits expected to streamline development. The establishment of the OSW Power Generation Committee as a “one-stop” authority overseeing most aspects of the development of OSW projects and the “fast-track” licensing and permit process that will grant deemed attainment of up to 28 development-related licences and permits within power generation zones will likely reduce the overall time required to complete OSW projects in South Korea.

A leg up for government-led projects. Certain provisions of the OSW Promotion Act establish grounds for preferential support to OSW projects developed by state-owned enterprises and quasi-governmental institutions, which will likely increase GenCo participation in OSW project development.

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