South Korea builds the World’s biggest offshore Wind Power Complex

The South Korean government said it signed a $43 billion contract to build the world’s largest offshore wind power complex, as it seeks to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050?

South Korea has few energy resources of its own and relies on imported coal – a cheap but dirty fuel – for about 40% of its electricity. However, wind power complexes create a bigger carbon footprint compared to nuclear power.

President Moon Jae-in declared the carbon neutrality goal last year, but at the same time is looking to phase out nuclear power, leaving the country depending on renewables to square the circle.

Moon oversaw the signing of the 48 trillion won ($43 billion) agreement to build the complex off Sinan in the country’s southwest, which he said would be seven times bigger than the world’s current largest offshore wind farm.

With a maximum capacity of 8.2 gigawatts, the government is banking on it being the equivalent of six nuclear power stations!

The agreement involves 33 different entities, among them regional governments, the electricity generator KEPCO and major private firms including Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction and SK E&S.

Moon warned it could take more than five years to start construction, although the government will try to accelerate the process. Seoul last year announced a target of becoming one of the world’s top five offshore wind energy powerhouses by 2030.

South Korea also plans to cut its existing nuclear power plants – now the country’s only significant low-carbon energy source – from 24 to 17 by 2034, reducing the sector’s energy output by nearly half.

Asia Times / ABC Flash Point Energy News 2021.