New solar power plants in the Honam region and parts of the Chungcheong region will be allowed to connect to the wide-area transmission network starting Oct. 1. The government has decided to improve grid utilization so that more renewable energy plants can be connected without expanding transmission and distribution lines. Under the approach, plant connections exceeding grid capacity will be permitted, with output curtailment applied when actual generation exceeds rated capacity. The government will also expand energy storage systems (ESS) to maximize the grid's capacity to accommodate power plants.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment reported the "Power Grid Innovation Measures" to a Cabinet meeting presided over by President Lee Jae-myung on the 29th. The ministry will first change the standard applied when solar plants connect to distribution networks from "rated capacity" to "flexible connection." Previously, plants were connected only when the distribution network could handle generation at the equipment's maximum performance. Now, connections will be accepted even if capacity is somewhat exceeded, on the condition of output curtailment.
ESS facilities will be installed at transmission and distribution networks and substations where connection capacity is saturated. Connection rights held by nominal developers, such as offshore wind projects that require considerable time before commercial operation, will be largely reclaimed and redistributed to solar developers able to supply power immediately.
The government expects this approach to raise transmission capacity to 171GW by 2030, up from a previously projected 119GW, without building additional grid infrastructure. Transmission capacity in the Honam region will rise about 72.1% to 64.2GW from the current 37.3GW.
