Korea Wind Energy Industry Association chief Kim Kang-hak meets Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back

Kim Kang-hak, chairman of the Korea Wind Energy Industry Association [provided by Myeongwoon Industrial Development]
Kim Kang-hak, chairman of the Korea Wind Energy Industry Association [provided by Myeongwoon Industrial Development]

The Korea Wind Energy Industry Association has partnered with the Ministry of National Defense to accelerate offshore wind power projects, a sector widely regarded as central to the country's energy transition.

Association Chairman Kim Kang-hak met with Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back at the ministry Thursday, conveying member companies' on-the-ground difficulties and recommendations for speeding up project development, the association said Friday.

Association Vice Chairman for External Affairs Jeong Jong-yeong and External Affairs Director Choi Deok-hwan also attended the meeting. The association said stronger communication between the wind industry and the Defense Ministry could help ease permitting delays that have stalled major offshore wind projects at the military operational review stage.

"The offshore wind industry is a key pillar of the government's national agenda and a renewable energy sector that will determine South Korea's future competitiveness," Kim said. "Given that military operational reviews and security consultations are a critical juncture in offshore wind complex development, we ask the Defense Ministry to take a more proactive and forward-looking approach in the spirit of supporting a national strategic industry."

Ahn said the ministry fully recognized the importance of offshore wind power for achieving carbon neutrality and securing energy security. "Within the bounds of what does not undermine military security and readiness, the Defense Ministry will explore a range of ways to support the development of an offshore wind power ecosystem as a nationally strategic undertaking," he said.

Meanwhile, wind turbine manufacturer Unison Co. announced Thursday a turbine supply contract for the Gochang Offshore Wind Power project in North Jeolla Province. The total EPC contract is valued at 297.38 billion won ($215 million), of which Unison's share amounts to 99.29 billion won. That figure represents approximately 246 percent of the company's revenue last year.

Unison is also pursuing turbine supply for the Hanbit Offshore Wind project, while advancing onshore projects including the Yeongam Samho Wind Farm and its own Yukbaeksan Wind development.

The Hanbit Offshore Wind project is a 340-megawatt fixed-bottom offshore wind development planned in waters near Anmado and Songido off Yeonggwang-gun, South Jeolla Province. Unison is set to supply 25 turbines rated at 13.6 megawatts each for the project, which was selected through a public-led competitive bidding process in the first half of 2026. The project is considered a key pipeline asset for Myeongwoon Industrial Development and is expected to generate significant synergies with Unison.


oskymoon@heraldcorp.com