Approval to Be Sought at Next Month's General Meeting
Some Members Express Opposition
Jongyoung Jeong, CEO of Samhae ENC, an offshore wind power developer under Myungwoon Industrial Development, is delivering the opening remarks in his capacity as Acting President of the Korea Wind Energy Association at the 3rd Wind Power Day event held on the 27th at Lotte Hotel Seoul. Photo by Heejong Kang
The Korea Wind Energy Association announced on the morning of the 27th that it held a board meeting and resolved to appoint Myungwoon Industrial Development as the association’s 8th chair company.
The association plans to hold a general meeting on the 27th of next month to approve the appointment of the new chair company. Until the proposal is passed at the general meeting, Jongyoung Jeong, CEO of Samhae ENC-an offshore wind power developer under Myungwoon Industrial Development-will serve as Acting President of the Korea Wind Energy Association.
On this day, Jongyoung Jeong also attended the 3rd Wind Power Day event in his capacity as Acting President of the association. Myungwoon Industrial Development stated that if the appointment is approved at the association’s general meeting, Kanghak Kim, CEO of Myungwoon Industrial Development, will take over as president.
However, some in the wind power industry have expressed dissatisfaction over Myungwoon Industrial Development becoming the chair company, so challenges are anticipated until final approval at the general meeting.
Myungwoon Industrial Development previously faced controversy for using some Chinese-made equipment during the Yeonggwang Nakwol Offshore Wind Power Project in South Jeolla Province. For the turbines, a model from a company acquired by the Chinese state-owned turbine manufacturer Goldwind was used, and for the external submarine cables connecting the offshore and onshore facilities, products from Chinese firm Hengtong Optic-Electric were utilized.
Myungwoon Industrial Development stated that it made a decision during a difficult period when there were no other companies willing to support the association, resulting in a prolonged leadership vacancy.
Regarding supply chain concerns, Myungwoon Industrial Development explained, "About 70% of the total investment in the Nakwol Offshore Wind Power Project involves domestic companies," adding that it is "contributing to the activation of the domestic supply chain." As for suspicions of Chinese capital participation, the company emphasized, "A fact-finding investigation revealed that such claims were groundless," and, "We fully demonstrated our qualifications and capabilities to the nomination committee and the board of directors."
The Wind Energy Association initiated an open recruitment process for the 8th chair company after SK Ecoplant, the previous chair, announced its intention to resign during its term. Myungwoon Industrial Development participated in the first round of recruitment in January, but the nomination committee did not approve its application. The company then reapplied during the subsequent round of recruitment.
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