[Report] Major Energy Transition... Jeonnam Leads the Offshore Wind Power Industry (Comprehensive)

Jeonnam Offshore Wind Power Industry Expo Draws Large Crowd on the 18th
Over 1,000 Attendees Including Local Leaders, Companies, and Citizens
All 22 City and County Leaders and Deputies Gather in Full Force
Jeonnam Emerges as a Hub for Offshore Wind and Renewable Energy
Confirmed Growth Potential as a Future Regional Industry
Governor Kim Youngrok Highlights Need to Relocate Ministry of Climate and Energy to Jeonnam

On the 18th, approximately 1,000 visitors attended the Jeollanam-do Offshore Wind Power Industry Expo held at Yeosu Expo Convention Hall, showing great interest in offshore wind power. Photo by Shim Jinseok

At 3:00 p.m. on the 18th, the Jeollanam-do Offshore Wind Power Industry Expo was held at Yeosu Expo Convention Hall.

Even before the official event began, the venue was packed with about 1,000 people, including energy industry professionals, local government officials, and citizens, who gathered to witness the past, present, and future of Jeonnam as it prepares for a major transition from the era of fossil fuels to the era of decarbonized energy.

In particular, this day marked the first occasion to announce a new leap forward for Jeonnam's offshore wind power industry, including the declaration of the 13GW vision for offshore wind power in the eastern region. As such, an impressive scene unfolded as Jeonnam Governor Kim Youngrok, Yeonggwang County Mayor Jang Seil, Wando County Mayor Shin Woochul, Yeongam County Mayor Woo Seunghee, Haenam County Mayor Myung Hyunkwan, Mokpo City Acting Mayor Lee Sangjin, Naju City Deputy Mayor Ahn Sanghyun, Hwasun County Deputy Mayor Lee Hobum, and all 22 city and county leaders and deputy leaders from Jeonnam were in full attendance.

Many visitors are examining various offshore wind-related materials at the promotional booths of offshore wind companies set up on the second floor of Yeosu Expo Convention Hall. Photo by Jinseok Shim

On the first and second floors of the venue, about 40 booths were lined up, hosted by power equipment companies participating in offshore wind projects underway across Jeonnam, including Sinan and Yeonggwang, as well as manufacturers and suppliers of offshore wind equipment and subsidiaries of Korea Electric Power Corporation, welcoming visitors.

Offshore wind power consists largely of wind turbines, foundation structures such as monopiles, power grid connection facilities such as offshore substations and subsea cables, and operation and maintenance systems.

At each booth, the companies had detailed information about their offshore wind-related technologies displayed on boards, making it easy for visitors unfamiliar with offshore wind power to understand. Company representatives were often seen directly explaining difficult terms to visitors who had questions.

Event staff stationed throughout the venue handed out promotional brochures to visitors, enthusiastically promoting "Jeonnam Offshore Wind Power."

Jeonnam Province has focused on presenting its offshore wind power vision and drawing the interest of local residents. As the world accelerates efforts to build a foundation for carbon neutrality, Jeonnam has consistently demonstrated the potential of offshore wind power based on its exceptional natural environment.

In fact, as of 2023, Jeonnam accounted for more than half of the nation's offshore wind power generation permits, with about 16GW (57.9%). Of this, a plan has been established to build a 6GW-scale complex centered on Sinan County by 2031.

In April this year, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy designated ten complexes (totaling 3.2GW) in the Sinan offshore area as a "renewable energy cluster," laying the groundwork. Offshore wind infrastructure is also being actively built in areas such as Yeonggwang, Yeosu, and Haenam.

Furthermore, the direct and indirect experiences accumulated in Sinan and other areas of sharing profits generated from solar and wind energy with residents through the "energy basic income" model have fueled interest in this expo.

Recently, blue ocean businesses such as AI data centers, which can utilize electric energy, have also attracted significant attention, prompting local residents to focus even more on the growth potential of offshore wind power.

A visitor to the expo said, "I had heard about offshore wind power through the media, but I didn't know the details. After coming here today, I saw how diverse it is and how impressive the technology is. It's amazing that the wind can generate electricity and other energy, and that this can even lead to financial benefits."

Leaders of 22 cities and counties in Jeollanam-do and industry representatives gathered at the Jeollanam-do Offshore Wind Power Industry Expo to sign a business agreement for the establishment of a renewable energy citizen fund. Photo by Shim Jinseok

The atmosphere became even more enthusiastic during the main event, which began at 3:30 p.m. Detailed information about the current status and future vision of offshore wind power in Jeonnam was presented on the screen at the front of the stage, drawing cheers from the audience.

Governor Kim Youngrok said, "There were many difficulties when we began promoting offshore wind power in Sinan in 2019, but now it has been successfully established." He added, "By 2035, we will build an offshore wind power complex with a capacity of about 30GW. We will newly establish the offshore wind power ecosystem," presenting a more concrete blueprint for new energy industry policies.

Governor Kim also heightened the atmosphere by mentioning the need to relocate the newly proposed "Ministry of Climate and Energy" under the Lee Jaemyung administration to Jeonnam.

The 22 city and county leaders and deputy leaders from Jeonnam who were invited to the event also presented a "blueprint for the success of Jeonnam's offshore wind power project," showing their support for Governor Kim.

When the "business agreement for the establishment of a citizen fund for energy basic income" and the "agreement for the establishment of an equipment supply chain" were signed, accompanied by a spectacular laser light performance, applause erupted from every corner. There was a shared sense that a declaration of intent to make Jeonnam the "energy capital" had been made.

Jeonnam Governor Kim Youngrok is listening to the technological capabilities and various difficulties of companies while touring the booths set up on the 1st and 2nd floors of the Yeosu Expo Convention Hall after the 'Jeollanam-do Offshore Wind Power Industry Expo' event concluded. Photo by Shim Jinseok

After the scheduled events concluded, Governor Kim toured the booths at the venue, checking on companies' offshore wind power technologies, listening to their difficulties, and exchanging opinions on the future direction of the offshore wind power industry in Jeonnam.

Seo Janghun, an employee of K-Wind Power, said, "There are many areas, including turbines, which are at the core of the offshore wind power industry, that require advanced technology, and domestic companies are actively conducting research. I believe this expo is an opportunity for these technologies to become known both domestically and internationally. Although there are still areas where we lag behind Europe, we have the capability to catch up."

Ryu Jaeyong, director at KBETS Co., Ltd., also said, "The potential for the development of the domestic offshore wind power industry is limitless. However, a transition toward clustering, such as the creation of large-scale offshore wind power complexes, is necessary. If we gradually address areas for improvement, domestic offshore wind power companies will be fully competitive."

Meanwhile, the Jeollanam-do Offshore Wind Power Industry Expo will continue until the 19th.