Doosan Enerbility has taken a significant step forward in the renewable energy sector by signing a memorandum of understanding  with Siemens Gamesa and Equinor for the Ulsan “Firefly Floating Offshore Wind Farm” project. The signing ceremony took place on Oct. 15 at Doosan Enerbility’s headquarters in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, marking a pivotal moment in the development of offshore wind energy in South Korea.

The event was attended by key figures from the involved companies, including Son Seung-woo, head of power service BG at Doosan Enerbility, Marc Becker, head of Offshore Wind Division at Siemens Gamesa, and Ingunn Svegarden, senior vice president of Asia-Pacific at Equinor. This collaboration aims to develop a 750MW floating offshore wind farm in the Ulsan region, utilizing Siemens Gamesa’s 15MW large-scale wind turbines. The nacelles, a crucial component of the turbines, will be assembled and supplied from Doosan Enerbility’s Changwon wind power plant.

Doosan Enerbility has been a player in the offshore wind business since 2005, with a portfolio that includes 3.3MW, 5.5MW, and 8MW models. The company has a proven track record of supplying and operating offshore wind power in Korea. This latest MOU builds on previous agreements with Siemens Gamesa, including a strategic cooperation MOU signed in June 2022 and a Framework Agreement for partnership signed in February 2023.

“The partnership between Doosan and Siemens Gamesa is recognized as the most realistic and optimized cooperation model for accelerating the expansion of the domestic wind power market,” said Son Seung-woo. “This agreement will further solidify the partnership among the three companies and contribute to the activation of the domestic offshore wind ecosystem through ongoing collaboration.”

Offshore wind energy, particularly floating offshore wind farms, represents a significant advancement in renewable energy technology. Unlike traditional offshore wind farms anchored to the seabed, floating platforms allow turbines to be located in deeper waters where wind speeds are higher and more consistent. This increases the potential for energy production and aligns with South Korea’s ambitious renewable energy goals aimed at reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change.

Doosan Enerbility, formerly known as Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction, has been a key player in power generation, desalination, and infrastructure development. Siemens Gamesa, a global leader in wind power technology, and Equinor, a Norwegian multinational energy company with a strong focus on renewable energy, bring extensive expertise and resources to the project.

The Ulsan region, known for its industrial activities, is now becoming a focal point for renewable energy projects. The Firefly Floating Offshore Wind Farm project is expected to play a crucial role in this transformation, contributing to the region’s economic development and South Korea’s renewable energy targets.

Source:Business Korea