Up to 40% (2,214) fewer new transmission towers — expanded undergrounding in densely populated areas, grid solar income villages (계통햇빛소득마을)
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment reported a plan to improve public acceptance of transmission network construction to the State Council. The ministry said new towers are expected to be reduced by 40% (2,214) if lines are consolidated as much as possible, that undergrounding is to be reviewed in densely populated areas, and that grid solar income villages are planned for villages near transmission networks. The ministry said income of up to about 3 million won a year per household is expected from this.
Key facts
| Fewer towers | If new lines are consolidated with existing lines, new towers are expected to be reduced by 40% (2,214) — as explained by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment |
|---|---|
| Undergrounding | Densely populated areas of Jangseong-gun, Yuseong-gu in Daejeon, Gunsan and Cheongyang, and Sejong and Cheongju are to be reviewed first — undergrounding is planned first for the lead-out sections (about 2 km) of new 345kV substations |
| Grid solar income villages | Support for installing solar income generation in villages near transmission networks — the ministry said income of up to about 3 million won a year per household is expected |
| Funding and procedure | Uses the support payments for local governments along the route (2 billion won per km) — the plan is to amend the Enforcement Decree of the Special Act on Power Grids within the year so that 2/3 of the payments are used first for village solar installations in areas near the power grid |
| Siting procedure | Initial project briefing sessions to be made mandatory, the number of briefing sessions increased to 3, residents allowed to observe meetings as a rule, and 2 or more candidate route corridors to be drawn up |
| Report | Reported to the State Council on September 15, 2026 |
Last checked:
On September 15, 2026, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said Minister Kim Sung-hwan reported a plan to improve public acceptance of transmission network construction to the State Council. According to the ministry, if lines are consolidated as much as possible in the national backbone grid projects now under way, new towers are expected to be reduced by 40% (2,214) compared with a plan that builds them individually. Undergrounding is to be reviewed in densely populated areas, and grid solar income villages (계통햇빛소득마을) are planned for villages near transmission networks; the ministry said income of up to about 3 million won a year per household is expected from this. On siting procedures, the ministry said it plans to increase project briefing sessions to 3 and to allow residents to observe meetings as a rule.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
How will the towers be reduced?
New lines (2 circuits) are consolidated with existing lines (2 circuits) into a single tower (4 circuits), and separately planned new lines are also installed together on a single tower.
What is a grid solar income village?
It is a village created by supporting the installation of solar income generation in villages near transmission networks; the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said income of up to about 3 million won a year per household is expected in areas near the national backbone power grid.
How are residents' views reflected?
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said it plans to make project briefing sessions mandatory from the start of siting, increase the number of briefing sessions to 3, allow residents to observe meetings as a rule, and draw up 2 or more candidate route corridors to broaden the choice of site for residents' representatives.