CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER II MASTER PLANS FOR SMART GRIDS
| Article 2 (Formulation and implementation of master plans for smart grids) |
| (1) | Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment intends to formulate and implement a master plan for creation and facilitation of use of smart grids (hereinafter referred to as "master plan") pursuant to Article 5 (1) of the Smart Grid Construction and Utilization Promotion Act (hereinafter referred to as the "act"), he or she shall consult in advance with the heads of relevant central administrative agencies. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| (2) | Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment formulates or changes a master plan, he or she shall publicly announce such plan. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| Article 3 (Minor changes to master plan) |
"Where minor matters prescribed by Presidential Decree are to be changed" in the proviso of Article 5 (3) of the Act means where any change is to be made to the details of the project, implementation schedules with regard to the matters referred to in Article 5 (2) 2 through 11 of the Act within the scope of policy goals and policy directions and such change does not affect the essential content of the master plan.
| Article 4 (Formulation and implementation of implementation plans for smart grids) |
| (1) | In order to formulate and implement an implementation plan for the creation and facilitation of the use of smart grids under Article 6 (1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "implementation plan"), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may, if necessary, request cooperation from the heads of relevant central administrative agencies, local governments, and other corporations, organizations, or institutions participating in the creation and facilitation of the use of smart grids. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| (2) | Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment formulates or changes a master plan, he or she shall publicly announce such plan. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| Article 5 (Institutions subject to prior consultation) |
"Entity prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 7 of the Act means a business entity engaged in the business of creating infrastructure for smart grids under Article 8 (2) and Appendix 1.
| Article 6 (Formulation and implementation of plans for conversion to smart grids) |
| (1) | Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment intends to formulate a plan for conversion to smart grids pursuant to Article 9 (1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "conversion plan"), he or she shall gather opinions from electricity suppliers, electricity consumers, and smart grid business entities. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| (2) | The conversion plan shall include the following: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| 1. | Matters relating to the construction of infrastructure necessary for conversion to smart grids; |
| 2. | Matters relating to support for the distribution and dissemination of smart grid devices and products; |
| 3. | Matters relating to the improvement of systems for the smooth introduction and replacement of smart grid devices and products; |
| 4. | Other matters deemed necessary by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment to ensure the participation of electricity suppliers and electricity consumers, such as holding a public hearing to gather opinions from interested parties, and to efficiently implement a conversion plan. |
| (3) | Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment designates target areas, target devices and products, target services, target business entities, and others pursuant to Article 9 (3) of the Act, he or she shall consider the following matters: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| 1. | The level of improvement of energy use efficiency, such as electricity saving and maximum electricity saving; |
| 2. | Feasibility of realizing smart grid technology; |
| 3. | Level of positive responses by residents to smart grids; |
| 4. | Degree of support by local governments, including budgets; |
| 5. | Other matters deemed necessary by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, such as the possibility of development of smart grid technologies. |
| (4) | Detailed Matters necessary for the designation of target areas, target devices and products, target services, target business entities under paragraph (3) shall be determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| Article 7 (Support for research and development) |
"Matters prescribed by Presidential Decree" in subparagraph 3 of Article 10 of the Act means the following matters: | 1. | Development of standards for smart grid technologies, products, services under Article 17 of the Act; |
| 2. | Demonstration of smart grid technologies under Article 19 (1) 2 of the Act; |
| 3. | Promotion of commercialization and industrialization of the outcomes of research and development of smart grids; |
| 4. | Expansion of equipment, facilities for smart grid research and promotion of the utilization thereof. |
CHAPTER III ESTABLISHMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE FOR SMART GRIDS AND FACILITATION OF USE OF SMART GRIDS
| Article 8 (Registration of smart grid business entities) |
| (1) | A person who intends to be registered as a smart grid business entity pursuant to Article 12 (1) of the Act shall submit an application for registration in a form prescribed by the Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on March 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| (2) | The standards for registration of smart grid business entities and the scope of their business affairs under Article 12 (1) of the Act shall be as specified in Appendix 1. |
| (3) | Upon receipt of an application for registration under paragraph (1), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall grant registration, except where the details of the application fail to meet the standards for registration and the scope of business affairs under Appendix 1. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| Article 9 (Change to registration of smart grid business entity) |
| (1) | Where a smart grid business entity intends to change its registration pursuant to Article 12 (2) of the Act, it shall submit to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment an application for change to registration in a form prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| (2) | "Important matters prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 12 (2) of the Act means the following: <Amended on Dec. 23, 2014> |
| 3. | Location of the principal place of business; |
| 5. | Capital (Only applicable to business entities engaged in the construction of infrastructure for smart grids under Article 8 (2) and Appendix 1). |
| Article 10 (Subsidization for invested expenses) |
| (1) | Projects for which subsidies for invested expenses are provided to smart grid business entities pursuant to Article 14 (1) of the Act shall be as follows: |
| 1. | Projects for the collection, provision, and utilization of smart grid information, such as distribution of electric meters; |
| 2. | Projects for the distribution and dissemination of smart grid devices, products, and services, including electric vehicle charging infrastructure and energy storage devices; |
| 3. | Other projects deemed necessary for the realization of public interests, such as the public nature and safety of smart grids. |
| (2) | A smart grid business entity that intends to receive subsidies for all or some of the invested expenses pursuant to Article 14 (1) of the Act shall file an application with the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, along with documents proving that the relevant project falls under the project categories listed in paragraph (1). <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| (3) | Detailed matters necessary for procedures for providing subsidies for invested expenses under paragraph (2) shall be determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| Article 11 (Standards for certification) |
| (1) | Standards for certification under Article 15 (2) of the Act shall be as follows: |
| 1. | To conform to the Korean Industrial Standards under Article 12 of the Industrial Standardization Act or the international standards determined by the International Electric Technology Committee in relation to the stability and interoperability of smart grids and the security of smart grid devices and products; |
| 2. | To properly conduct the quality maintenance, management, and follow-up management of smart grid devices, products, and services. |
| (2) | Detailed matters relating to the standards for certification under paragraph (1) shall be determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment after consulting with the heads of relevant central administrative agencies in advance. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| Article 12 (Standards for designation of certification bodies) |
An entity that seeks to be designated as a certification body pursuant to Article 16 (1) of the Act shall meet the following standards: <Amended on Dec. 23, 2014> | 1. | It shall be a non-profit corporation or non-profit organization; |
| 2. | It shall not receive financial support from a person who intends to obtain certification; |
| 3. | It shall have an organization exclusively dedicated to certification and at least 2 professionals related to matters listed in the subparagraphs of Article 15 (1) of the Act; |
| 4. | It shall establish regulations on certification affairs related to smart grids, including procedures for certification, the amount of fees determined according to the calculation method under Article 18 and Appendix 2. |
| Article 13 (Designation of central districts) |
| (1) | Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment intends to designate central districts for smart grids (hereinafter referred to as "central districts") pursuant to Article 18 of the Act, he or she shall formulate a promotion plan for developing the central districts, including the following matters: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| 1. | Objectives, strategies, and promotion systems of the central district project; |
| 2. | Smart grid technologies to be applied to the central district project; |
| 3. | Financing necessary for the implementation of the central district project; |
| 4. | Other matters necessary for the smooth implementation of the central district project. |
| (2) | The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may designate a central district directly or at the request of the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, a Metropolitan City Mayor, a Do Governor, or a Special Self-Governing Province Governor (hereinafter referred to as "mayor/do governor") <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| (3) | Matters to be considered in designating a central district under paragraph (2) shall be as follows: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| 1. | The area shall be suitable for achieving the objectives of the central district project; |
| 2. | Positive responses by residents to the central district project shall be high; |
| 3. | The financing plan for the central district project shall be appropriate and feasible; |
| 4. | It shall be in harmony with the master plan; |
| 5. | Other matters deemed necessary by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, such as the possibility of building and spreading the use of smart grids in neighboring areas. |
| (4) | Where the Mayor/Do Governor intends to request the designation of a central district pursuant to paragraph (2), he or she shall formulate an implementation plan for the development of the central district, including the following matters, and submit it to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| 1. | The area subject to request for designation as the central district; |
| 2. | Details of the central district project; |
| 3. | Grounds for requesting designation as the central district; |
| 4. | Details of the budget, human resources that the Mayor/Do Governor may support for the central district project; |
| 5. | Other matters to be considered when designating the central district under paragraph (3). |
| (5) | Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment intends to designate a central district, he or she shall undergo deliberation by the Electric Policy Council established under Article 47-2 of the Electric Utility Act. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| (6) | When the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment designates a central district, he or she shall publicly announce the purpose of designation, details of designation, area subject to designation in the Official Gazette and notify the competent Mayor/Do Governor thereof. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| (7) | Except as provided in paragraphs (1) through (6), matters necessary for the designation of a central district shall be determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| Article 14 (Designation of supporting organizations for promotion of smart grid industry) |
| (1) | Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment designates an organization supporting the development of the smart grid industry pursuant to Article 19 (1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "supporting organization"), he or she may designate such organization by classifying its business affairs according to the categorization of the business affairs under paragraph (1) of that Article. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025> |
| (2) | An entity that seeks to be designated as a supporting organization shall meet all of the following requirements: <Amended on Jan. 29, 2020; Mar. 30, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| 2. | It shall have a track record of performing the business affairs under the subparagraphs of Article 19 (1) of the Act (referring to the business affairs in the field for which it seeks to obtain designation); |
| 3. | It shall have a dedicated organization and human resources capable of performing the business affairs specified in the subparagraphs of Article 19 (1) of the Act (referring to the business affairs in the field for which it seeks to obtain designation); |
| 4. | It shall comply with other matters deemed necessary and publicly notified by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment in connection with the development of the smart grid industry. |
[This Article Wholly Amended on Dec. 23, 2014]
CHAPTER IV COLLECTION, UTILIZATION, AND PROTECTION OF SMART GRID INFORMATION
| Article 15 (Request for mediation and processing thereof) |
| (1) | Where a smart grid business entity intends to request mediation under Article 23 (5) of the Act, he or she shall submit an application for mediation in the form prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, along with relevant documents. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| (2) | Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment examines the details of an application for mediation under paragraph (1) and conducts mediation, he or she shall hear the opinions of the relevant parties and may conduct a fact-finding investigation or hear the opinions of supporting organization, if necessary. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| (3) | The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may prepare a mediation proposal after reviewing under paragraph (2), present it to the applicant and the party concerned, and recommend them to accept it. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| Article 16 (Business entities subject to verification of implementation of information security) |
"Providers of smart grid services who meet the standards prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as the number of users" in Article 27 (1) 2 of the Act means persons who collect and process information on individuals which can be identified by their names, resident registration numbers pursuant to Article 22 of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "personal information on smart grids"), and whose average number of users of smart grid services on a day from October 1 to December 31 of the preceding year is at least 10,000; provided, the foregoing shall not apply to the following persons who are providers of other services specified in Appendix 1: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Dec. 23, 2014; Oct. 1, 2025> | 1. | Deleted; <Aug. 17, 2012> |
| Article 17 (Procedures for verification of implementation of smart grid protection measures) |
| (1) | Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment intends to verify whether the guidelines under Article 26 (3) of the Act are implemented pursuant to Article 27 (1) of the Act, he or she shall notify smart grid business entities in advance. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| (2) | In order to verify whether the guidelines under paragraph (1) are complied with, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may conduct an investigation in writing or through the Internet or by other means, or have public officials under his or her control visit and conduct an investigation with experts in smart grids, such as engineers under the National Technical Qualifications Act. In such cases, public officials and experts in smart grids, such as engineers under the National Technical Qualifications Act, shall carry indication verifying their authority and present it to relevant persons. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| (3) | The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall consult in advance with the Director of the National Intelligence Service when he or she verifies whether the guidelines under paragraph (1) are implemented with respect to major information and communications infrastructure under the proviso of subparagraph 3 of Article 16. <Amended on March 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> |
CHAPTER V SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
Fees under Article 32 of the Act shall be paid in cash or by means of electronic currency, electronic settlement using information and communications networks, and the amount thereof shall be as specified in Appendix 2.
| Article 19 (Entrustment of business affairs) |
The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall entrust the following business affairs to the Smart Grid Association established under Article 20 of the Act pursuant to Article 35 of the Act: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025> | 1. | Compilation and management of statistics on smart grids under Article 8 (1) of the Act; |
| 2. | Receipt of applications for registration of smart grid business entities and applications for change to registration, and confirmation of the details thereof, under Article 12 of the Act; |
| 3. | Development of standards for smart grid technologies, products, services under Article 17 (1) of the Act. |
| Article 19-2 (Re-examination of regulation) |
| (1) | The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall examine the appropriateness of the standards for designation of certification bodies under Article 12 every 5 years, counting from January 1, 2025 (referring to the period that ends on the day before January 1 of every fifth year) and shall take measures, such as making improvements. <Amended on Mar. 12, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| (2) | The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall examine the appropriateness of the following matters every 3 years (referring to the period that ends on the day before January 1 of every third year), counting from each applicable base date specified in the following subparagraphs and shall take measures, such as making improvements: <Amended on Dec. 9, 2014; Mar. 3, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025> |
| 1. | Deleted; <Mar. 12, 2025> |
| 2. | Standards for the designation of supporting organizations for development of the smart grid industry under Article 14: January 1, 2025; |
| 3. | Those subject to verification of implementation of information security under Article 16 and Appendix 1: January 1, 2025; |
| 4. | Deleted. <Mar. 12, 2025> |
[This Article Added on Dec. 30, 2013]
| Article 20 (Criteria for imposing administrative fines) |
Criteria for imposing administrative fines under Article 39 (4) of the Act shall be as specified in Appendix 3.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 23312, Nov. 23, 2011>
This Decree shall enter into force on November 25, 2011.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 24047, Aug. 17, 2012>
Article 1 (Enforcement date)
This Decree shall enter into force on August 18, 2012; provided, the amended provisions of Article 3 of the Addenda shall enter into force on February 18, 2013.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 24442, Mar. 23, 2013>
Article 1 (Enforcement date)
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. (Proviso Omitted.)
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 25050, Dec. 30, 2013>
This Decree shall enter into force on January 1, 2014. (Proviso Omitted.)
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 25840, Dec. 9, 2014>
Article 1 (Enforcement date)
This Decree shall enter into force on January 1, 2015.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 25875, Dec. 23, 2014>
This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation; provided, the amended provisions of the main clause, with the exception of the subparagraphs, of Article 16 shall enter into force on January 1, 2016.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 30369, Jan. 29, 2020>
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 30509, Mar. 3, 2020>
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 31380, Jan. 5, 2021>
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. (Proviso Omitted.)
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 31576, Mar. 30, 2021>
Article 1 (Enforcement date)
This Decree shall enter into force on April 1, 2021. (Proviso omitted.)
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 33434, Apr. 25, 2023>
Article 1 (Enforcement date)
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 (Applicability to administrative disposition, penalty surcharges, or administrative fines)
The amended provisions of Articles 1 through 61 shall also apply where administrative disposition is made, or a penalty surcharge or administrative fine is imposed, after this Decree enters into force, for an offense committed before this Decree enters into force.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 35382, Mar. 12, 2025>
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 35803, Oct. 1, 2025>
Article 1 (Enforcement date)
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation; provided, among the Presidential Decrees amended under Article 6 of the Addenda, the amendments to the Presidential Decrees that were promulgated before this Decree enters into force but whose enforcement dates have yet to arrive shall enter into force on the respective enforcement dates of those Presidential Decrees.