Incheon Submits Application for Offshore Wind Power Cluster Complex... 1GW Project Planned Near Baekado

The Incheon city government announced on the 21st that it has officially submitted its application for the designation of a public-led offshore wind power cluster complex to the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment.

The proposed offshore wind power complex is planned to be built 22 kilometers southwest of Baekado, Ongjin County, and will have a capacity of 1GW, which can replace 10.7% of the existing Yeongheung thermal power plant's output. The application includes details on project implementation capabilities, plans for securing grid connection, strategies for ensuring community acceptance and environmental sustainability, as well as measures for profit sharing and strengthening the industrial ecosystem.

In particular, to secure public acceptance, the city has engaged with approximately 1,650 stakeholders over the past five years through preliminary consultations, on-site deliberation and listening sessions, community briefings, and public-private consultative meetings. As a result, at the 7th Incheon Offshore Wind Power Public-Private Council held last month, the project plan was approved as originally proposed, establishing a consensus within the local community.

Location map of the Incheon Public-Led Offshore Wind Power Cluster Complex. Incheon City

The decision on whether to designate the cluster complex is expected to be made before March next year, following an evaluation by the Korea Energy Agency and a review by the Renewable Energy Policy Deliberation Committee of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. If designated, the city will be able to develop a plan for selecting project operators and link the project to local industries. Additionally, the city can utilize additional Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) revenue from the cluster complex to implement regional win-win initiatives for fishermen and local residents.

The Incheon public-led offshore wind power project has been underway since 2022, in connection with the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment's public-led site suitability project and cluster development support project, and is regarded as a leading model for public-led planned sites in South Korea.

Yoo Jeongbok, Mayor of Incheon, stated, "This application for the designation of the offshore wind power cluster complex is an example of the mature civic consciousness of fishermen and residents," adding, "We will continue to communicate in order to minimize damage to the fishing industry and to develop win-win solutions."

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