South Korea to build mega-sized wind farm

By Kim Tae-gyu

The Seoul administration plans to build a massive wind farm off the western coast of the Korean peninsula over the next ten years.

The Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE) said Tuesday that a total of 9.3 trillion won ($8.3 billion) will need to be invested by 2019 to erect 500 wind turbines in the West Sea off the Jeolla provinces.

When all the turbines are installed in the shallow waters, they will combine to create 2,500 megawatts of energy a year, which is enough for 3.5 million Busan residents to use for a full month.

``Basically, the scheme is composed of three phases. By 2013, we will have raised 20 5-megawatt turbines and add 180 by 2016 and 300 more by 2019,’’ MKE director general Kang Nam-hoon said.

``On the back of the mega-sized project, we strive to preempt the ever-growing global green market and become one of the three powerhouses in the offshore wind power generation.’’

Kang projected that the wind complex will serve as an example when Asia’s fourth-largest economy attempts to export its technologies for which global demand is likely to explode in the not-so-distant future.

Wind energy, which now accounts for just 1.5 percent of global electricity generation, has been touted as one of the most promising next-generation energy sources to replace fossil fuels.

Wind power has many advantages _ it is plentiful, renewable and clean compared to conventional energy sources. However, some are opposed to the idea due to drawbacks that wind turbines can be noisy and dangerous to birds. Some consider them eyesores.

As an alternative, offshore wind power has emerged as it is out of sight and can be far away from birds’ migration routes. Furthermore, winds are usually stronger and more stable at sea.

``Many domestic companies are working on large-sized wind turbines. Offshore wind power generation has a shot at becoming the country’s future cash cow when it becomes mainstream technology,’’ Kang said.

Currently, such flagship companies as Hyundai Heavy Industries, Samsung Heavy Industries, Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction, and Hyosung Corp. are developing large wind turbines.

Yet, the grandiose project is not a certainty because the MKE hopes that the private sector including the aforementioned companies will provide almost all of the 9.2 trillion won investment.

The MKE is poised to fund a mere 29 billion won, or 0.3 percent of the overall plan, in the research and development of specific technologies. In other words, private companies are required to invest 9.2 trillion on their own. Otherwise the scheme will collapse.

The ministry said that the investments will continue because offshore wind power generation has outstanding business outlook despite critics claims that the project may fall through.