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

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

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On April 15, upon entering Doosan Enerbility's Changwon factory in South Gyeongsang Province, several massive main frames for wind turbines were prominently displayed atop safety work platforms. By attaching generators and various electronic devices to these main frames, and then combining them with the hub, the wind turbine system is completed.

Doosan Enerbility originally operated this facility as a boiler steam piping plant for thermal power stations, but in 2023, it was renovated into a wind turbine factory to align with the era of renewable energy. Overhead, a crane capable of lifting up to 150 tons has been installed. Nam Kyungmin, Head of the Wind Power Plant at Doosan Enerbility, stated, "We are equipped to produce around 30 wind turbines annually," adding, "If we expand our facilities in the future, we could increase production to up to 40 units per year."

The factory, which once manufactured thermal power equipment, has thus been transformed into a wind turbine production site. It was a scene that vividly illustrated the gradual shift of Korea's heavy industry toward renewable energy.

In one area of the Changwon factory, a 10MW offshore wind turbine, currently under development as a national project, could be observed. The 10MW-class turbine development project, dubbed 'K-Wind,' plans to use more than 70% domestically produced components. The goal is to lower supply costs and achieve a competitive price compared to European products. Major European turbine manufacturers reportedly have supply prices ranging from 2.5 billion to 3 billion won per megawatt.

Doosan Enerbility's 10MW-class wind turbine is a model tailored for Korea's low-wind-speed environment. It can achieve a utilization rate of over 30% even at an average wind speed of 6.5 m/s. The rotor diameter is 205 meters (with blade length of 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 agency UL in July of last year. It was the first case in which a Korean company obtained international certification for a 10MW offshore wind model. International certification is the final step before commercialization. This turbine is scheduled to be installed at Handong Pyeongdae Offshore Wind Farm (100MW), Dadaepo Offshore Wind Farm (99MW), and Aphae Offshore Wind Farm (80MW), all selected in last year's government fixed-price wind power contract bidding.

At the Changwon wind power factory, the production of 8MW turbines was also in full swing. This product is scheduled to be supplied for the first time to the Yeonggwang Yawol Offshore Wind Farm in South Jeolla Province. For the 104MW Yeonggwang Yawol Offshore Wind Farm, 13 units of Doosan Enerbility's 8MW-class generators will be installed. This will be the first case where domestically produced 8MW-class turbines are installed.

Doosan Enerbility also signed an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract in December of last year to establish the Yawol Offshore Wind Farm.

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The 10MW-class turbine under development as a national project is an expanded version based on the 8MW-class turbine. The proportion of domestically produced components used has also increased from the previous 30% to 70%. The intent is to expand the domestic wind power supply chain.

For example, Yaw and pitch drives used in the turbines are supplied by Woolim PTS, yaw and pitch bearings by Silla Precision, circuit breakers by Intech Electric, and control cabinets by LSK. The blades are produced by Human Composites, and the towers are supplied by Seonghyeon. Doosan Enerbility's wind power sector has about 150 partner companies. In a way, it has formed a 'K-Wind Team Korea.'

However, there are still components that cannot be domestically produced. It is said that the hub, a key component that connects the turbine and blades, must be sourced from China. Plant Manager Nam explained, "There have been no domestic companies producing hubs because there has been no demand in Korea until now."

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

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Wind power equipment companies are facing difficulties due to a lack of market demand. Most are producing wind turbine components alongside other products, as it is difficult to sustain a business by manufacturing wind power equipment alone. Dongkuk S&C, a manufacturer of wind turbine towers, even temporarily suspended tower production at the end of last year. Some companies have reportedly withdrawn from the business altogether.

To expand the domestic wind power supply chain, companies need to be confident that the market will be sustained. Jiwoong Park, Team Leader of Wind Power Sales Team 1 at Doosan Enerbility, emphasized, "Since there has been no domestic market until now, we have barely managed to procure domestic parts by persuading partner companies one by one," and added, "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. The company plans to address this through collaboration with Siemens Gamesa. Doosan Enerbility signed a business agreement with Siemens Gamesa in March of last year to establish a new wind turbine production line.

During the visit to the Changwon plant, intensive ground reinforcement work was underway for the production of Siemens Gamesa's 14MW turbines. The weight of the nacelle and hub, which house the main components and are ultimately assembled together, reaches 700 tons-making production impossible at the existing factory.

Plant Manager Nam stated, "The Siemens Gamesa collaborative plant is expected to be completed in October and assembly can begin in November." Thirty-eight units of Siemens Gamesa's 14MW turbines are scheduled to be supplied to the Anma Offshore Wind Farm. The site is expected to be able to assemble up to 72 Siemens Gamesa wind turbines per year.

At the Changwon factory, a new site is also being prepared to store both components and finished products of Siemens Gamesa wind turbines. Combining Doosan Enerbility's own production plant, the Siemens Gamesa assembly plant, and the outdoor storage yard, a total of 52,000 pyeong (approximately 171,900 square meters) will be used for wind turbine production.

Doosan Enerbility is not simply assembling Siemens Gamesa's turbines. Through this process, the company plans to acquire large-scale wind power technology. By entering into a licensing agreement, Doosan Enerbility aims to establish its own production system for large wind turbines of 14MW or greater.

Team Leader Park said, "Currently, components for Siemens Gamesa's 14MW turbines are being procured from overseas, but if Doosan Enerbility begins direct production in the future, we plan to gradually increase the proportion of domestic parts used."

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