SK Ocean Plant Advances the Establishment of Korea's Largest Offshore Wind Forward Base
The Deputy Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do inspected the progress of Gyeongnam's first Opportunity Development District project during his visit to the SK Ocean Plant's Goseong offshore wind structure production base on the 13th. This visit is significant for revitalizing the local economy.
This visit aimed to establish necessary infrastructure for the development of the domestic offshore wind sector. It provided an opportunity to seek cooperation measures with corporate representatives and to hear opinions on difficulties faced on site.
Gyeongnam Opportunity Development District and the Leap of the Offshore Wind Industry
The Goseong Yangchon-Yongjeong General Industrial Complex was designated as a shipbuilding and marine industry special zone in 2007, but the project was halted for a long time. However, in 2023, SK Ocean Plant received approval to invest about 950 billion KRW on a site of 1.57 million㎡ for a new industrial complex.
Additionally, it was designated as Gyeongnam's first Opportunity Development District the same year, laying the groundwork for becoming an important hub of the domestic offshore wind industry. These changes are expected to have a positive impact on the local economy.
The government announced through the 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand that it will increase offshore wind power capacity from the current 3GW to 18.3GW by 2030. Accordingly, SK Ocean Plant is expected to accelerate its efforts associated with the establishment of bases for offshore wind structure production.
SK Ocean Plant's Goal to Lead the Global Offshore Wind Market
SK Ocean Plant is designing a production base specialized in offshore wind structures in Goseong. Here, the production of fixed substructures called jackets, floating substructures called floaters, and offshore substations, OSS, will take place. In addition to the currently operating production facilities of 930,000㎡, an additional factory of 1.57 million㎡ will be constructed, bringing the total production area to approximately 2.5 million㎡.
Currently, SK Ocean Plant produces about 40 jackets annually, and the newly completed factory will have the capacity to produce around 40 floaters, each weighing 4,500 tons. This large-scale production base is expected to enhance SK Ocean Plant's competitiveness in the global offshore wind market.
Thus, the company will lay a foundation capable of playing an important role in the sustainable energy market.
The Growth of the Offshore Wind Market and the Role of SK Ocean Plant
The global offshore wind market is rapidly developing. According to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), the global installed offshore wind capacity is expected to rise from 35GW in 2020 to 270GW by 2030, and to 2000GW by 2050. Accordingly, SK Ocean Plant is focusing on strengthening its position in the global market as a leader in the domestic offshore wind sector.
In 2019, the company signed major supply contracts with world-renowned offshore wind companies such as Ørsted from Denmark and Jan De Nul from Belgium. Notably, last year, it achieved a significant milestone by signing a supply contract for 220MW substructure components with NSE from Japan, becoming the first domestic company to enter the Japanese offshore wind market.
These achievements are playing a crucial role in enhancing SK Ocean Plant's competitiveness in the offshore wind sector and leading the transition to sustainable energy.
Administrative Support from Gyeongnam Province and Future Plans
Gyeongsangnam-do is focusing on providing administrative support for the establishment of the SK Ocean Plant's Goseong Yangchon-Yongjeong General Industrial Complex and production base. Through these efforts, Gyeongnam plans to position itself as a hub for the renewable energy industry in the southeastern region.
Upon the completion of the new production base in Goseong, around 5,600 new jobs are expected to be created, with a production inducement effect estimated at about 1.4 trillion KRW. These economic effects are expected to revitalize Gyeongnam's local economy and significantly contribute to the development of the domestic offshore wind industry. The future of Gyeongnam looks even brighter.
SK Ocean Plant's Future Vision
SK Ocean Plant is setting offshore wind power as a key growth driver and aims to further solidify its position in the global market. Currently, it is undergoing the process of transferring its listing from KOSDAQ to KOSPI, and is also focusing on building a green hydrogen value chain based on offshore wind in collaboration with its parent company, SK Ecoplanet. Through these efforts, it plans to lead the transition to sustainable energy.
The CEO of SK Ocean Plant expressed a commitment to grow into a global offshore wind specialized company with the slogan "Sowing the Future in the Sea." There are high expectations regarding the impact of their challenges on the advancement of Korea's offshore wind industry and the renewable energy market.
#SKOceanPlant, #offshorewind, #renewableenergy, #Goseongoffshorewind, #GyeongnamOpportunityDevelopmentDistrict, #renewableenergyindustry, #renewableenergy, #windpower, #ecofriendlyenergy, #GoseongIndustrialComplex, #offshorewindpower, #forwardbase, #SKEcoplanet, #carbonneutrality, #greenenergy, #energytransition, #governmentpolicy, #newindustrialcomplex, #southeasternregionenergy, #ecofriendlybusiness, #jobcreation, #economicdevelopment, #climatechangeresponse, #renewabletechnology, #environmentalprotection, #energyfuture, #power supply plan, #industrialinfrastructure, #GyeongnamEconomy, #offshorewindstructures
