[Feature] BadaEnergy propels momentum

for floating offshore wind projects in Ulsan

 

•     BadaEnergy partners with local companies to develop floating offshore wind using leading-edge engineering technology…To achieve sustainable future

•     BadaEnergy aims to enhance global competitiveness based on best localization strategies at all stages of business

•     Following Ulsan offshore wind project, BadaEnergy obtained EBLs for the Geomundo and Maenggoldo offshore wind project in South Jeolla Province…Gained momentum in business

 

 

Aerial view of the BadaEnergy offshore wind farm.

 

 

[Korea Land Daily | Jo Seong-gu] BadaEnergy is a joint venture developed by Corio Generation(‘Corio’), a global specialist offshore wind developer, TotalEnergies, a global multi-energy company, and leading South Korean company SK ecoplant as ‘one team’ for offshore wind businesses in Korea.

 

BadaEnergy’s portfolio consists of floating and fixed-bottom offshore wind projects in Ulsan and South Jeolla Province (Geomundo and Maenggoldo) with a combined capacity of over 2GW.

 

If completed, BadaEnergy’s offshore wind farms are expected to reduce more than 4.3 million tons of carbon dioxide on an annual basis.

 

The Ulsan Gray Whale floating offshore wind project 1, 2 and 3, which were granted EBLs from the Electricity Regulatory Commission for the first time in Korea, aim to construct 1.5GW sized offshore wind farms in public waters off the coast of Ulsan.

 

Once all phases are completed, the wind farms are expected to be one of the world’s largest floating offshore wind farms that will supply clean energy to 1,820,000 households. That's enough to power every household in Ulsan and Busan.

 

Ulsan has world-class shipbuilding and heavy industries infrastructure, making it the city with the most suitable environment for floating offshore wind development.

 

Such an industrial environment is highly esteemed, as it is expected to play a leading role in all stages of the floating offshore wind development, as well as revitalize the stagnant local economy and contribute to job creation.

 

BadaEnergy worked hard establishing a collaboration system with the domestic supply chain.

 

For the first phase of the projects, Gray Whale Project 3 selected HHI partnering with Doris Engineering as Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) contractor to perform FEED services for floater, mooring and inter-array cables in August 2022, and selected HD Hyundai Heavy Industries as the preferred bidder for EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) in November 2023.

 

BadaEnergy, HHI, and Vestas are now collaborating in a task force with the aim to further optimize design and industrialization of the execution plan of the fabrication, integration, and installation of the 33 floating turbines.

 

Also, KEPCO E&C is conducting FEED for onshore power supply system of the Gray Whale 3 including onshore cable route design and onshore substations.

 

BadaEnergy will soon send Call for Tender for the offshore export system composed of the offshore substation, and export electrical cable to worldwide contractors including well known Korean key players.

 

In this process, BadaEnergy utilizes the relevant know-hows that Corio and TotalEnergies have accumulated in the global renewable energy market and SK ecoplant’s expertise in EPC for the Korean and overseas marine and port construction, which will create the best possible synergy with domestic businesses.

 

BadaEnergy contributes to carbon neutrality by accelerating the development of offshore wind projects. It also strives to build an offshore wind industry ecosystem in Korea, foster mutual growth with the local community, and achieve a sustainable future.

 

BadaEnergy touts its policy of ‘localization at all stages and building a new energy ecosystem’ as the keynote of its offshore wind projects. Funds from Korean investors will be invested in the projects, and Korean companies will play a leading role in the project progress.

 

The personnel needed for the projects are hired directly in Korea. BadaEnergy plans to contribute to the creation of jobs and added value in the local community by working with Korean companies as a team at all stages from development to construction and operation to establish a supply chain for the Korean offshore wind industry.

 

To promote the circulation of human resources, BadaEnergy has signed industry-academia cooperation partnerships with University of Ulsan (UoU) and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) to cultivate offshore wind talents, hires talents through a variety of processes such as internships, and trains them to grow into offshore wind experts by providing professional education and job opportunities.

 

BadaEnergy participated in UoU’s Regional Industry Development Fund for UoU’s bid to win the Glocal University 30 project last year.

 

Since BadaEnergy, UNIST and Ulsan Metropolitan City signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for industry-university cooperation for the Ulsan floating offshore wind project in 2021, BadaEnergy has granted scholarships and given lectures on offshore wind power technologies and management every semester in an effort to foster future local talents for offshore wind.

 

BadaEnergy also has ran a six-month internship program. In 2023, one intern was recruited as a full-time employee.

 

BadaEnergy is carrying out environmental and social impact assessment in line with the laws of Korea and international standards (IFC Performance Standard, EP4) to ensure its offshore wind projects to be environmentally responsible.

 

One of its core values is developing projects that fulfill environmental and social responsibilities, such as studying coexistence with fishermen and investigating impacts on the fisheries industry through collaboration with relevant government ministries, research institutes, and local universities.

 

As part of efforts to strengthen its responsibility and commitment to a sustainable future, BadaEnergy is participating in local community activities and actively engaging in environmental education and cultural activities for future generations. It is making donations and joining environmental cleanup activities through cooperation with welfare centers, science museums and other local organizations.

 

BadeEnergy has conducted the campaign from 2022, titled ‘Together with Ocean,’ where students can learn the significance of carbon neutrality and marine environmental protection in collaboration with the National Ocean Science Museum.

 

The campaign was conducted at Okseo Elementary School and Myeongchon Elementary School in Ulsan. As an ongoing local ESG program, it aims to raise awareness about the importance of climate crisis and carbon neutrality for future generations.

 

In addition, BadaEnergy sponsored the eco-friendly program ‘Eco Mom! Happy Kids!’ and participated in an activity to clean up the Yeocheon Stream operated by the Ulsan Nam-gu Community Welfare Center. It also sponsored the production of ChildFund Korea’s environmental education kit ‘Bag to the Green.

 

Meanwhile, BadaEnergy obtained an electric business license (EBL) for the Maenggoldo offshore wind project last year from the Electricity Regulatory Commission under the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, which is the last part of its portfolio, following the Ulsan floating offshore wind projects (project name: Gray Whale 1, 2,3) and Geomundo offshore wind project in South Jeolla Province. Now, all of its five projects have gained momentum.

 

In South Jeolla Province, BadaEnergy is developing offshore wind farms of approximately 500MW and 600MW in two locations, Geomundo and Maenggoldo, respectively.

 

In order to sufficiently communicate with local residents and fishermen from the early stages of the projects, BadaEnergy has signed a co-prosperity agreement with the Geomundo, Maenggoldo, and Geochado (East and West Geocha Islands) Offshore Wind Promotion Committees and been actively communicating and exchanging with the local communities.

 

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