Jeju is now home to the nation’s first first offshore wind farm. As Mike Balfour now reports, it can power tens of thousands of island households.

Report

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Off the coast of Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju City

Out in the distance above the sea surface, wind turbine blades are spinning.

This is the nation’s first offshore wind farm.

10 3.3-megawatt wind turbines were built in 2015 and the construction of the wind farm was completed in September.

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Construction of nation’s first offshore wind farm complete

After months of trials, the Korea (남동) Namdong Electric Company held a completion ceremony on November 17.

Electric energy generated at the wind farm will be provided to more than 24,000 local households.

The 30-megawatt wind farm puts the nation in the world’s 9th place in the volume of energy generated from wind turbines.

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All Korean technology

Notably, the wind farm adopts Korean made wind turbines and technology.

INTERVIEW
Son Gwang-sik / Acting CEO, Korea Namdong Electrics
This project is important because it’s the first to incorporate all-Korean wind turbines and technology. This offshore farm will create an endless supply of sustainable power for local households.
<인터뷰 : 손광식/한국남동발전 사장 직무대행>
"이 사업은 순수 국산 기자재와 국내 기술력으로 최초로 완공한 사업이라는데 큰 의의가 있습니다. 제주도처럼 바람이 좋은 이 자연을 이용해서 자원을
확보했다는 점은 무엇보다도 우리 미래 세대에게 연속적이고 영구적인 자원을 공급할 수 있다는…."

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Developer donates \3b, promises to invest in community

The developer donated 3 billion won for a local development fund and promises to return part of profits made from the wind farm to area residents.

The nation’s and the island’s first offshore wind farm is a step closer to a carbon free Jeju Island.

[Reporter] Mike Balfour
[Camera] Kim Seung-cheol

Offshore wind power generation is expected to grow.

Insiders are closely watching the performance of the wind farm in Jeju to see whether the provincial policy on renewable energy will be successful.

Mike Balfour, KCTV