Samsung Heavy Industries Challenges Renewable Energy Market with Large Offshore Wind Floating Platforms

Development of an Independent Model for 9.5MW-Class Large Offshore Wind Floating Platform
Expanding Marine Plant Execution Capabilities into the Renewable Energy Sector

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] Samsung Heavy Industries is developing an independent model of offshore wind floater and is set to target the domestic and international offshore wind power equipment markets.

Samsung Heavy Industries announced on the 19th that it has developed a large-scale 9.5MW offshore wind floater model (Tri-Star Float) and obtained Approval in Principle from the Norwegian classification society DNV for the basic design.

The certified offshore wind floater features a design that eliminates the 'pontoon,' a steel structure supporting the wind turbine offshore, enabling a revolutionary reduction in construction time from manufacturing to transportation and installation.

Additionally, by analyzing 40 years of data on wind strength, currents, and water depth in the East Sea of Korea, it has been optimally designed to ensure stability even in extreme offshore environments.

Samsung Heavy Industries plans to leverage these strengths to actively pursue the 'East Sea Floating Offshore Wind Power' project, which the government is promoting with a goal of producing 6GW of power.

Samsung Heavy Industries began developing the independent model design technology in October 2020, and in March successfully completed floater model tank tests at the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO).

At that time, major classification societies, government ministries, and developers of the East Sea floating offshore wind farm, including GIG-TotalEnergies, Shell, Equinor, and Korea Electric Power Corporation, attended and showed great interest.

Lee Wang-geun, head of Samsung Heavy Industries' marine business division, emphasized, "The offshore wind floater signifies the expansion of Samsung Heavy Industries' large-scale offshore plant capabilities into the renewable energy sector," adding, "We hope to contribute to the government's Green New Deal policy."

Meanwhile, as global carbon neutrality efforts intensify, floating offshore wind power, which has fewer site selection restrictions and enables large-scale power generation, is gaining attention. In Korea, offshore wind projects are actively being reviewed in line with the government's 'Renewable Energy 3020 Implementation Plan' and other initiatives.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.