The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE, Minister Kim Sungwhan) announced that it will open the 2026 Energy Storage System (ESS) Central Contract Market on September 22 and select ESS power generation operators with a total capacity of 1,180 MW.

An ESS stores electricity when power generation is high and discharges it when demand is high, maximizing the use of generated electricity and supporting the stable operation of the power grid. From 2023 through the first half of 2026, the government opened the Central Contract Market three times and selected ESS power generation operators with a total capacity of 1,196 MW.

In the 2026 Central Contract Market, the government plans to select power generation operators to deploy 1,100 MW of ESS on the mainland and 80 MW in Jeju by February 2029, taking into account the ESS capacity requirements under the 11th Basic Plan for Long-Term Electricity Supply and Demand, in order to secure ESS capacity at an early stage.

While maintaining the overall framework of the evaluation system, some improvements will be made to the grid assessment criteria. Previously, eligible substations were limited to designated grid management substations, but this time, substations where the need to connect ESS is identified through an analysis of grid conditions nationwide will also be added to the list of eligible sites. 

In addition, substations with a significant potential to alleviate grid congestion will be disclosed among the eligible substations to encourage optimal ESS siting. The evaluation criteria of “curtailment level” and “contribution to grid stabilization,” which offered limited benefit as separate criteria, will be consolidated and assessed under “contribution to grid stabilization.”

Meanwhile, in Jeju, a new contract option will be introduced for systems with long lifespans and the capability for repeated charging and discharging. While the existing contract term is 15 years, systems capable of two charge-discharge cycles per day for 25 years will also be eligible for a 25-year contract. This measure is designed to secure a stable supply of long-lifespan, high-cycle ESS facilities, taking into account Jeju’s grid characteristics, where the high share of wind power generation creates a need to charge ESS even during nighttime hours.

The bidding period runs through November 11, with successful bidders expected to be selected in November. For details on the bidding process, refer to the notices on the Korea Power Exchange (KPX) website (http://www.kpx.or.kr), the agency that manages the ESS Central Contract Market, posted at 5 p.m. on September 22.

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division. 

Contact person: Gina Lee, foreign media spokesperson

Phone: +82-44-201-6055

Email: gcjgina @gmail.com