Norway's DNV and France's BV grant

simultaneous Approval in Principle

Officials pose for a photo at a demonstration event for the ultra-large floating offshore wind floater. [Daewoo Engineering & Construction]
Officials pose for a photo at a demonstration event for the ultra-large floating offshore wind floater. [Daewoo Engineering & Construction]

Daewoo Engineering & Construction has completed technical verification of South Korea's largest 22 MW floating offshore wind floater model with two of the world's top classification societies, stepping up its drive into the global offshore wind market.

The company announced Monday that its 22 MW floating offshore wind floater model, co-developed with a floating offshore wind research consortium, had simultaneously received Approval in Principle (AiP) from Norway's DNV and France's Bureau Veritas (BV).

The dual AiP certifications give Daewoo E&C internationally recognized validation of the structural stability and design technology behind its 22 MW ultra-large floater. The achievement carries particular significance as competition intensifies globally to develop floaters exceeding 20 MW, demonstrating that South Korean technology can hold its own in the substructure segment of the international market.

Floating offshore wind generates electricity by mounting turbines on structures that float on the sea surface, making installation possible even in deep waters. The technology is drawing attention as a next-generation clean energy source and is seen as a key pillar for developing deep-sea areas such as the Donghae, where wind speeds are strong.

The new model is designed to maintain strong structural stability even in the extreme marine conditions of the Donghae at water depths of up to 150 meters. It also cuts the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) by about 20 percent compared with earlier models, a significant improvement in economic viability.

The achievement results from work by Daewoo E&C and the floating offshore wind research consortium with support from the Korea Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning Institute. The project was selected as a government-funded research initiative in April 2023 under the title "Development of Substructure Design Technology for Innovative LCOE-Reducing 20 MW+ Ultra-Large Floating Offshore Wind." The team subsequently secured a patent in February last year and conducted tank tests at the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO) in September of the same year to refine the design.

The research consortium includes a broad range of South Korea's leading industry, academic and research institutions: Bandi Consultant, Posco, Marine Tech In, Inha University, the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, Korean Register (KR), Kiswire, Posco E&C and Korea East-West Power.

"Following our push into the 250 MW fixed offshore wind project at Guleopdo, our 22 MW floating offshore wind model — the largest in South Korea — has now been recognized for its technological excellence by two of the world's most authoritative classification societies," a Daewoo E&C official said. "We will continue to secure core technologies in the renewable energy sector and lead the global offshore wind market."

Meanwhile, Daewoo E&C's second-quarter operating profit on a consolidated basis came to 232.3 billion won ($168 million), a preliminary figure representing a 182.6 percent increase from the same period last year.


hwshin@heraldcorp.com