Bill to amend Meteorological Services Act introduced
"Weather information support system must keep pace with the renewable energy era"
Legislation is moving forward in the National Assembly to build a weather information support system tailored to renewable energy generation, with the aim of improving power output forecasting accuracy and strengthening the stability of electricity supply.
Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Heo Jong-sik, who represents Incheon's Dong-gu and Michuhol-gu Gap district, said Sunday he had introduced a bill to amend the Meteorological Services Act that would require the Korea Meteorological Administration to systematically provide weather data relevant to renewable energy generation.
As the share of solar and wind power in the energy mix continues to grow, accurate forecasting of generation output has become increasingly critical. Because renewable energy output fluctuates significantly with weather conditions such as solar irradiance and wind speed, precise meteorological data is considered a key factor in predicting generation volumes and operating power facilities efficiently.
The current Meteorological Services Act includes provisions for marine, aviation and hydrological weather services, but critics have long noted that it contains no separate rules directly linking weather information to renewable energy generation — a gap that has limited the meteorological agency's ability to provide systematic support in this area.
According to Heo, the amendment addresses that regulatory gap by introducing a statutory definition of "renewable energy meteorology" and requiring the KMA commissioner to provide renewable energy weather data to support generation forecasting and the efficient operation of power facilities.
If enacted, the bill is expected to improve the accuracy of renewable energy output forecasts and boost the operational efficiency of generation facilities, while also helping to stabilize grid management and electricity supply as renewable capacity expands.
"Expanding renewable energy is an essential task for achieving carbon neutrality and driving the energy transition," Heo said. "This amendment is significant in that it strengthens the KMA's role in the renewable energy sector and lays the groundwork for a systematic information support framework. We will continue building the institutional foundation needed to support the efficient operation of renewable energy facilities and ensure stable electricity supply."
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