Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure ISSN:2288-8527(Online) 응용생태공학회 논문집

This study analysed the temporal and spatial performance of the environmental impact assessment system for solar and wind power generation projects implemented in Korea between 2008 and 2024. Using data from the Ministry of Environment’s Environmental Impact Assessment Information Support System (EIASS), the study provided a comprehensive review of Strategic Environmental Impact Assessments (SEIAs), Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Small-Scale Environmental Impact Assessments (SSEIAs). The study also analysed the correlation with trends in power generation growth using renewable energy deployment statistics from the Korea Energy Agency. The analysis revealed that, during the study period, the number of solar power assessments was 9,272, which was over 48 times higher than the number of wind power assessments (195 cases). A structural bias was confirmed, with 98% of solar power assessments concentrated in small-scale environmental impact assessments. The number of solar power assessments increased sharply in 2018 before declining due to strengthened regulations. Although there were fewer wind power projects in total, they showed a relatively higher proportion of SEIAs and EIAs. Solar power projects were excessively concentrated regionally in the Honam region (Yeongsan River Basin Environmental Office and Jeonbuk Regional Environmental Office), whereas wind power projects tended to be concentrated at the Ministry of Environment headquarters and the Daegu and Wonju Regional Environmental Offices. These results reflect the impact of policy changes, including the ‘Renewable Energy 3020’ policy, strengthened cumulative development and separation regulations, and the establishment of a dedicated wind power team. Suggested policy implications include: Preventing haphazard development and ’fragmentation’ of small-scale projects and introducing cumulative impact assessments; Shifting to an induced-location policy that considers regional imbalance mitigation and establishing a planned-location system for wind power, as well as strengthening dedicated management. This study empirically demonstrates the necessity of shifting renewable energy policy towards a spatial approach that considers environmental sustainability, grid integration capacity and local acceptance. This approach moves beyond a focus solely on quantitative expansion.