Seoul: The government has initiated a task force aimed at promoting wind power usage to expedite the nation's shift to renewable energy and address the increasing demand for electricity, as announced by the industry ministry.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the task force will aid current wind power development projects that collectively possess an electricity generation capacity of 4.1 gigawatts (GW). Presently, South Korea's wind power generation capacity is 0.35 GW. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy emphasized that wind power could emerge as a significant renewable energy source for South Korea, especially given its geographical advantage of being surrounded by the sea on three sides, benefiting sectors like shipbuilding and steel.
Moreover, wind power is anticipated to support the country in meeting the growing energy demand fueled by the advancement of artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge industries. The ministry noted the strategic importance of seizing this opportunity to enhance offshore wind power in Korea.
Second Vice Industry Minister Lee Ho-hyeon stated, "Experts all agree that this is the last golden time to revitalize offshore wind power in Korea, and the successful implementation of the 4.1 GW projects will determine the success or failure of the initiative." He further mentioned that all relevant ministries will unite to expedite the permitting process, secure necessary infrastructure, and provide financial support for these projects.
Earlier this year, the government announced plans to establish the country's largest-ever offshore wind power cluster, with a production capacity of 3.2 GW in Sinan, approximately 300 kilometers south of Seoul, by 2033.