Incheon City to Apply for 2GW Public-Led Offshore Wind Power Cluster

On April 21, the Incheon city government announced its plan to submit a business plan for a public-led offshore wind power cluster project with a capacity of 2GW to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy by September.

The cluster system is a government-supported initiative in which local governments take the lead in identifying sites suitable for offshore wind power generation, while securing local acceptance and environmental viability in advance, thereby enabling the efficient implementation of renewable energy projects. If designated as a cluster, Incheon's 2GW offshore wind power project, currently being promoted by the city, will be eligible to receive incentives totaling 80 billion KRW over 20 years, with 4 billion KRW provided annually.

The incentives can be used to promote benefit-sharing with local residents, develop measures for coexistence with the fishing industry, and improve social infrastructure, which greatly helps secure local acceptance.

Location map of Incheon Public-Led Offshore Wind Power Complex. Provided by Incheon City

The city has accelerated its application for cluster designation because, starting in March next year, offshore wind power projects will shift to a government-led planned site system following the implementation of the 'Offshore Wind Power Special Act.' Under the transitional provisions of the Special Act, only clusters designated before March next year under local government leadership will remain valid.

Previously, in July last year, Incheon city selected three project sites in the western waters off Deokjeokdo, Ongjin County, and the adjacent Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as suitable locations and was chosen as a recipient of support from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

The city plans to build an offshore wind power complex with a total capacity of 2GW at these sites. A 2GW facility can supply electricity to 1.44 million four-person households, each using an average of 3kW per month. The total investment for the project amounts to 8.045 billion KRW, including 2.175 billion KRW in national funds, 870 million KRW from the city, 4.8 billion KRW from Korea Midland Power, and 200 million KRW from Incheon Urban Development Corporation.

By the end of next year, the city will conduct preliminary feasibility studies on the environmental impact, local acceptance, business viability, and regulatory compliance of the three sites. Incheon is the second case after Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, where a local government has taken the lead in identifying suitable sites for offshore wind power and linking them to complex development.

In particular, the city emphasized the significance of Incheon's approach, where residents and fishermen have jointly identified suitable sites and are voluntarily participating in the spread of renewable energy, thereby establishing a framework for regional coexistence.

An Incheon city official stated, "After the presidential election in June, we plan to actively share project initiation and future plans with local residents and fishermen. We aim to successfully implement the offshore wind power cluster, proactively respond to the climate crisis, and promote a sustainable energy transition that grows together with the region."

Offshore wind power image. Incheon City

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