South Korea’s Nakwol Offshore Wind Power Project, the country’s largest offshore wind development, has reached a 72.8% completion rate and is moving toward full completion within the year. At a time of rising pressure to expand renewable energy following an energy crisis linked to the Middle East, it remains the only large-scale offshore wind project currently under construction in South Korea.
The 364.8 MW project is being developed off Yeonggwang, South Jeolla Province, by Myeongun Industrial Development and Thailand’s B.Grimm Power. Since breaking ground in March 2024, the project has made steady progress and is expected to generate enough electricity to supply 250,000 households for one year.
Construction across the 64-turbine scheme has advanced with 38 monopile foundations, 22 transition pieces, and 11 tower-turbine upper structures installed. Work slowed during the winter due to harsh offshore weather, but activity accelerated again this month as conditions improved.
Commercial operation has already begun in stages. Since the first turbine started commercial operation in December of last year, five turbines have entered commercial service. Initial capacity factor and power generation have come in above expectations, supporting a positive assessment of the project’s viability.
Once completed, the project is expected to lift South Korea’s offshore wind capacity from 352 MW to 716.8 MW, more than doubling the current total. It is also expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 430,000 tonnes. More than 100 South Korean companies from equipment, construction, and services have participated in the project, helping strengthen the country’s offshore wind supply chain.
Myeongun Industrial Development said the technology and experience gained through the project would help support innovation and growth across the wider wind power industry ecosystem, which it described as a key pillar of national energy security.
