'K-Wind' with 70% Domestic Components Aims for Greater Competitiveness Than Europe [Pursuing Independence in Wind Power] ①

A Visit to Doosan Enerbility’s Changwon Wind Power Plant
Annual Production Capacity of 30 Turbines
A Network of 150 Wind Power Partners
Formation of ‘K-Wind’ Team Korea
‘K-Wind’ Under National Project Development
10MW Offshore Win

Main frames, hubs, and other key equipment for wind turbines are waiting to be assembled at Doosan Enerbility's wind power factory in Changwon. Doosan Enerbility

On April 15, upon entering Doosan Enerbility's Changwon plant in Gyeongsangnam-do, several massive wind turbine main frames placed on safety platforms came into view. Once generators and various electronic devices are attached to these main frames and the hub is assembled, the wind turbine system is complete.

Doosan Enerbility converted this facility, which originally served as a boiler steam pipe factory for thermal power plants, into a wind turbine plant in 2023 to align with the era of renewable energy. Cranes capable of lifting up to 150 tons were installed on the ceiling. Nam Kyungmin, head of Doosan Enerbility's wind turbine factory, stated, "We now have the capacity to produce about 30 wind turbines per year," adding, "If we expand the facility, we will be able to produce up to 40 units annually."

This means the factory that used to produce thermal power equipment has now been transformed into a wind turbine production site. It was a scene that clearly illustrated the gradual shift in the focus of Korea's heavy industries.

On one side of Doosan Enerbility's Changwon plant, it was possible to see the ongoing development of a 10MW offshore wind turbine as a government-supported project. The 10MW-class turbine development project, currently underway under the name 'K-Wind,' plans to use more than 70% domestically produced components. The goal is to lower the supply price and secure price competitiveness compared to European products. The main European turbine manufacturers reportedly have supply prices of 2.5 billion to 3 billion won per MW.

Doosan Enerbility's 10MW-class wind turbine is a model tailored for Korea's low-wind-speed environments. It can generate at a utilization rate of over 30% even with an average wind speed of 6.5 m/s. The rotor diameter is 205 meters (blade length 100 meters), and the total height reaches 230 meters, equivalent to an 80-story apartment building.

This product received type certification from the international certification body UL in July last year. It was the first case of a domestic company obtaining international certification for a 10MW offshore wind model. International certification is the final hurdle before commercialization. This turbine is scheduled to be installed at the Handong Pyeongdae Offshore Wind Farm (100MW), Dadaepo Offshore Wind Farm (99MW), and Aphae Offshore Wind Farm (80MW), all selected in last year’s government-run wind power fixed price contract competitive bidding.

The Changwon wind power plant was also busy assembling 8MW turbines. This product is scheduled to be delivered for the first time to the Yeonggwang Yawol Offshore Wind Farm in Jeollanam-do. Thirteen 8MW-class generators from Doosan Enerbility will be installed at the 104MW Yeonggwang Yawol Offshore Wind Farm. This will be the first case of a domestically produced 8MW-class turbine being installed.

In December last year, Doosan Enerbility also signed an EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) supply contract for the development of the Yawol Offshore Wind Farm.

The 10MW-class turbine being developed as a government project is an expanded version of the 8MW-class turbine. The ratio of domestic components used has also increased from the previous 30% to 70%. The aim is to expand the domestic wind power supply chain.

For example, the yaw and pitch drives used in the turbine are supplied by Woorim PTS, the yaw and pitch bearings by Shilla Precision, the circuit breakers by Intech Electric & Electronic, and the control cabinets by LSK (LSK). Human Composites provides the blades, and Sunghyun supplies the towers as partners. Doosan Enerbility works with about 150 partner companies in the wind power sector, forming a sort of K-Wind Team Korea.

However, there are still some components that cannot be localized. The hub, a core component that connects the turbine and blades, must be sourced from China. Plant manager Nam Kyungmin explained, "Because there has been no domestic demand until now, no company in Korea manufactures hubs."

Jiwoong Park, Team Leader of Wind Power Sales Team 1 at Doosan Enerbility, is explaining the 8MW wind turbine being produced at the Changwon wind power plant. This product is scheduled to be installed at Yawol Offshore Wind Farm. Doosan Enerbility

Wind power equipment companies are struggling due to a lack of market demand. Most of them manufacture other products alongside wind power components. It is difficult to sustain a company by producing only wind power equipment. Dongkuk S&C, a manufacturer of wind turbine towers, even temporarily suspended tower production at the end of last year. Some companies have withdrawn from the business altogether.

In order to expand the domestic wind power supply chain, companies need to be confident in the market's sustainability. Jiwoong Park, Team Leader of Wind Power Sales Team 1 at Doosan Enerbility, emphasized, "Because there has been no domestic market so far, we've had to persuade partner companies to barely secure domestic parts," adding, "To encourage companies to invest, we must send a clear signal that the market will continue to exist."

The remaining challenge for Doosan Enerbility is scaling up. Doosan Enerbility plans to address this through collaboration with Siemens Gamesa. In March last year, Doosan Enerbility signed a business agreement with Siemens Gamesa to establish a new wind turbine production line.

During the visit to the Changwon plant, ground reinforcement work was in full swing to enable the production of Siemens Gamesa's 14MW turbines. The weight of the turbine section—which combines the nacelle and hub encasing the main components—reaches 700 tons, making production impossible at the existing plant.

Plant manager Nam stated, "The Siemens Gamesa collaboration plant is expected to be completed in October, with assembly starting in November." Thirty-eight 14MW turbines from Siemens Gamesa are scheduled to be supplied to the Anma Offshore Wind Farm. The facility will have the capacity to assemble 72 Siemens Gamesa wind turbines annually.

A new site is also being prepared at the Changwon plant to store Siemens Gamesa wind turbine parts and finished products. When combining the in-house manufacturing plant, Siemens Gamesa assembly plant, and outdoor storage, a total of 52,000 pyeong (approximately 171,900 square meters) will be dedicated to wind turbine production.

Doosan Enerbility does not simply assemble Siemens Gamesa turbines. Through this process, the company will also acquire technology for scaling up wind turbines. Doosan Enerbility plans to establish its own production system for large wind turbines of 14MW or greater through a licensing agreement.

Team leader Park stated, "Currently, parts for the Siemens Gamesa 14MW turbine are procured from overseas, but as Doosan Enerbility begins direct production in the future, the proportion of domestic parts used will gradually increase."

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