Executive Summary
Key metrics and legislative context at a glanceOn March 26, 2026, Korea's Special Act on the Promotion of Offshore Wind Power Distribution and Industrial Development (the “OSW Promotion Act,” Law No. 20845) officially enters into force. The accompanying Draft Enforcement Decree — approved by Cabinet on March 17, 2026 — and the Draft Enforcement Rules are designed to take effect simultaneously, though both remain in draft form and subject to final publication as of this report's date. Together, this legislative package marks a fundamental shift from a fragmented, private developer-led approach to a government-coordinated “Planned Site System”. The Act is administered by the newly established Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE, created October 2025).
Draft Legislation Note: While the OSW Promotion Act is enacted law, the Draft Enforcement
Decree and Draft Enforcement Rules referenced throughout this report are based on documents reviewed by the
Ministry of Government Legislation and are subject to final confirmation. Procedural details reflect the draft
subordinate legislation as of March 2026.
Impact: The Planned Site System replaces a framework requiring navigation of 28 separate laws
and 42 individual permits — targeting a reduction in average development time from 10+ years to 5–6
years.
Legislative Background
The structural failures that drove the 2025 reformThe Old Private-Led System (Pre-2026)
- Individual developers responsible for site identification via wind measurement equipment
- Navigation of 28 separate laws and 42 individual permits, each filed separately with different agencies
- No coordinating body — disputes between Ministry of Environment, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Oceans & Fisheries unresolved for years
- Community acceptance secured (or failed) entirely by developers, without structured frameworks
- First-mover site-claiming created speculative pipeline
The Consequences
- ~36 GW in generation business license pipeline — only ~360 MW (~1%) reached commercial operation
- Average development timeline: 10+ years (vs. UK ~4 years, Taiwan ~5 years)
- Repeated project cancellations due to community opposition and fishing industry conflicts
- Grid saturation: Honam region's 8.8 GW of existing solar left offshore wind as “latecomers” competing for residual capacity
- Institutional fragmentation led to unpredictable timelines, deterring institutional capital
| Category | Before (Private-Led) | After (OSW Promotion Act) |
|---|---|---|
| Site Selection | Developer-initiated (wind measurement) | Government-designated (Committee-reviewed) |
| Permitting | 28 laws, 42 permits (fragmented) | Integrated “Deemed Consent” (single approval) |
| Lead Time | 10–12+ years | Target: 5–6 years |
| Community Process | Developer-managed (ad hoc) | Mandatory Public-Private Council (≥½ fishermen) |
| Developer Selection | First-mover advantage | Competitive public tender |
| Coordination Body | None | Offshore Wind Development Committee (under PM) |
Governance Architecture
The institutional framework under the OSW Promotion ActThe OSW Promotion Act establishes a new Offshore Wind Power Development Committee under the Prime Minister as the supreme decision-making body for Korea's offshore wind sector. This committee resolves inter-ministerial conflicts — historically the single greatest source of project delay.
Offshore Wind Power Development Committee
- Co-chaired jointly by two ministers: MCEE + Ministry of Oceans & Fisheries
- Full committee includes heads of Ministry of National Defense, Coast Guard, National Intelligence Service, and other relevant agencies
- Mandate: Policy deliberation, zone designation approval, developer selection oversight, dispute resolution (within 45 days of mediation request)
Working Committee & Dedicated Agency
- Working Committee: Max 25 members, chaired by MCEE Vice-Minister
- Composition: Senior officials from 11 ministries (Defense, Finance, Environment, etc.) + private sector experts (2-year term, 1 renewal)
- Offshore Wind Dedicated Agency: Designated institution handling administrative operations and technical reviews
- Specialized research institutions may be designated for technical evaluation
Continue Reading
This analysis continues with a detailed review of the planned site designation criteria, developer obligations, permitting framework, and strategic implications of the Offshore Wind Special Act for project developers in Korea.
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