[Interview] Guillaume Le Maréchal, BadaEnergy's Project Director of Gray Whale 3

 

“We expect to bring Korean-style floating offshore wind structures

to the overseas markets and finally lead the global market”

 

n   BadaEnergy will develop and apply cutting-edge engineering technology through one-team spirit

n   Offshore wind development will drive job creation and revitalization of local economy

  

 

  

[Korea Land Daily | Jo Seong-gu] The Korea Land Daily met with Guillaume Le Maréchal, BadaEnergy's Project Director of the Gray Whale 3 floating offshore wind project, to learn more about floating offshore wind energy, dubbed as next-generation technologies.

 

- Why is a floating offshore wind considered a next-generation technology?

 

▲ It literally refers to the installation of wind turbines on a body floating in the sea. It can be set up in further offshore and in deeper waters with a depth of more than 100 meters, making it possible to efficiently produce electricity, as it benefits from stronger and more regular winds. Floating offshore wind energy is the next-generation clean energy suitable for building a massive-scale power complex because it is located far from the coast, which reduces impact on the marine ecosystem and inconvenience to residents. In order to maintain a floating turbine that continues producing electricity in a turbulent sea environment and weather, advanced technologies and strategies are required. For now, large-scale commercial floating offshore wind farms are in their early stages of development.

 

- Why are three companies, TotalEnergies, Corio and SK Ecoplant jointly developing floating offshore wind farms in Korea?

 

▲ Geographically, Korea is surrounded by the sea on three sides, and industrially, has full-fledged shipbuilding, marine, and heavy industries, making itself one of the world’s most attractive locations with great potential for offshore wind energy. In order to carry out large-scale offshore wind projects, which must be approached from a long-term perspective, we have determined that a special partnership is needed in consideration of the characteristics of ‘floating’ and the Korea’s distinctive circumstances.

Corio Generation is a specialist offshore wind developer that has developed offshore wind farms in a variety of regions around the world, with the world's largest project pipeline of more than 30 gigawatts (GW), while TotalEnergies specializes in a variety of floating facilities based on Oil and Gas expertise accumulated for a century in the energy field and has an in-depth understanding of Korean shipyards. SK ecoplant is Korea's leading developer that has expertise in civil, electrical, and maritime construction, as well as possesses a close relationship with the supply chain in Korea. The tripartite partnership can create synergy optimized for the success of offshore wind projects.

 

- What differentiates the Gray Whale Floating Offshore Wind Project?

 

▲ Constructing and operating offshore wind farms involve not only the turbine industry but also a variety of technologies and industries. BadaEnergy seeks to build a new industrial ecosystem through active cooperation with Korean companies to forge a one-team spirit based on best localization strategy for all stages of the offshore wind project. In line with the abovementioned efforts by BadaEnergy to take into account Korea’s characteristics, local businesses that are well aware of the regional characteristics can provide solutions more suitable for the region in terms of engineering, enabling efficient development.

For the Gray Whale 3, a project with the first phase being carried out, we have worked together with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), starting in the process of the front-end engineering design (FEED). All of us, including BadaEnergy team, are striving together to achieve the most optimized design and industrialization that consider every aspect from the shipyards, and installation constraints.

 

- What are your plans (remaining procedures) and missions in the Korean wind market?

W

▲ We are continuing to work together with HHI and Turbine manufacturer, as a task force, to detail the construction processes and lower the price and optimize schedule. We are also working on the FEED of the export system (onshore and offshore).

At the end of last year, we submitted the final report of environmental impact assessment (EIA) on the Ulsan floating offshore wind projects—Gray Whale 1, 2, 3—to the government concerned. An EIA is a process of evaluating the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project or development and taking measures to decrease the impacts.

BadaEnergy strives to know more about stakeholders, including villagers, and aims for a mutually cooperative relationship that can contribute to the development of the local economy. Offshore wind projects, including the Gray Whale, can serve as a future growth engine that will create jobs and revitalize the local economy. We hope that relevant Korean businesses will participate in the floating offshore wind projects and sharpen their competitive edges in the field, thereby becoming stepping stones to lead the vast global market.

 

 

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