**Dubai:** Korea Western Power has been honoured twice consecutively at the IJ Global Awards for its large-scale solar projects in Oman and the UAE, including the 1,500MW Azfan solar power project, cementing its pivotal role in driving renewable energy and carbon reduction in the Middle East.
Korea Western Power’s Dual Success in Renewable Energy
Korea Western Power (KOWEPO) has solidified its reputation in the renewable energy sector by winning the prestigious ‘Project of the Year in Energy Transition’ for its Azfan solar power project during the recent IJ Global Awards 2024 held in Dubai. This recognition marks not only a celebration of innovation but also a significant achievement, as KOWEPO has now clinched the same award for two consecutive years, following the success of the Oman Mana solar power project last year.
The Azfan project, capable of generating an impressive 1,500 megawatts (MW) of power, represents a monumental commitment to renewable energy in the Middle East. The project, which involves an investment exceeding 1 trillion won, is a collaborative effort between KOWEPO and EDF-R, a subsidiary of France’s state-owned energy firm EDF. Securing the contract in February 2024, the project recently reached financial closure in September of the prior year, with construction currently underway and a completion date targeted for September next year.
This award highlights the critical importance of renewable energy initiatives in combating climate change. According to the IJ Global, which focuses on project finance, these awards are given to projects that significantly contribute to the spread of renewable energy and the reduction of carbon emissions on a global scale. The Azfan project is not merely a financial venture; it is pivotal in helping the UAE achieve its ambitious energy transition goals, which include a drastic reduction in carbon emissions—projected to decrease carbon output by over 2 million tonnes annually.
KOWEPO’s success in the Middle East is not an isolated instance. The Oman Mana solar project, which was inaugurated earlier this year, is expected to produce enough energy to power around 75,000 households and has played a significant role in supporting Oman’s clean energy programme. It achieved an impressive operational rate of close to 40% within its first quarter, significantly outpacing the national average. This successful track record is indicative of KOWEPO’s strategic focus on large-scale renewable projects in the region, which includes not only solar power but also initiatives in gas combined cycle technologies and green hydrogen production.
Lee Jung-bok, the President of KOWEPO, expressed his pride in the company’s achievements, stating that the back-to-back awards reaffirm KOWEPO’s status as a leading player in the global renewable energy market. “Winning these prestigious global awards consecutively has positioned us as a top-tier renewable energy company both domestically and internationally. We are committed to fulfilling our responsibility to lead the charge towards carbon neutrality,” he stated.
As the world continues to grapple with the challenges posed by climate change, KOWEPO’s relentless pursuit of renewable energy solutions not only contributes to environmental sustainability but also reinforces the company’s strategic footprint in the burgeoning renewable energy landscape of the Middle East and North Africa. This appears to be just the beginning, as KOWEPO eyes further expansion in regions like Oman and Kuwait, demonstrating their commitment to a greener future.
Reference Map:
- Paragraph 1 – [[1]](https://www.etoday.co.kr/news/view/2468304), [[2]](https://www.etoday.co.kr/news/view/2468304)
- Paragraph 2 – [[1]](https://www.etoday.co.kr/news/view/2468304), [[3]](https://www.ijglobal.com/articles/180784/ijglobal-awards-2023-mena-deal-winners), [[4]](https://edf-renouvelables.com/en/communiques/edf-renewables-and-korea-western-power-co-kowepo-and-masdar-announce-financial-close-of-al-ajban-solar-pv-project-in-abu-dhabi-one-of-the-worlds-largest-solar-power-plants-launched-by-ewec/)
- Paragraph 3 – [[4]](https://edf-renouvelables.com/en/communiques/edf-renewables-and-korea-western-power-co-kowepo-and-masdar-announce-financial-close-of-al-ajban-solar-pv-project-in-abu-dhabi-one-of-the-worlds-largest-solar-power-plants-launched-by-ewec/), [[5]](https://edf-renouvelables.com/en/communiques/edf-renewables-and-korea-western-power-companyinaugurate-sultanate-of-omans-largest-solar-power-plant/)
- Paragraph 4 – [[1]](https://www.etoday.co.kr/news/view/2468304), [[6]](https://edf-renouvelables.com/en/communiques/edf-renewables-and-korea-western-power-corporation-kowepo-consortium-reaches-financial-close-on-manah-1-500-mw-solar-project-in-oman/)
- Paragraph 5 – [[1]](https://www.etoday.co.kr/news/view/2468304), [[2]](https://www.etoday.co.kr/news/view/2468304)
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.etoday.co.kr/news/view/2468304 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.etoday.co.kr/news/view/2468304 – 한국서부발전이 아랍에미리트(UAE)에서 수주한 아즈반 태양광 발전사업이 국제적 권위를 지닌 금융 시상식에서 ‘올해의 에너지전환 프로젝트’로 선정됐다. 서부발전은 지난해 오만 마나 태양광 발전 이어 2년 연속 같은 부문 수상이라는 기록을 세우며, 해외 재생에너지 시장에서도 독보적인 존재감을 드러냈다. 아즈반 태양광 발전 사업은 발전공기업이 주도한 초대형 태양광 입찰사업으로, 총 1조 원 이상이 투입되는 대규모 프로젝트다. 서부발전은 프랑스 국영전력회사 EDF의 신재생 자회사인 EDF-R과 공동으로 2024년 2월 수주에 성공했으며, 지난해 9월 금융 종결을 마치고 현재 내년 9월 준공을 목표로 건설을 진행 중이다.
- https://www.ijglobal.com/articles/180784/ijglobal-awards-2023-mena-deal-winners – 2023년 IJGlobal Awards에서 EDF Renewables Middle East와 한국서부발전(KOWEPO)이 공동으로 추진한 오만 마나 1호 태양광 발전소 프로젝트가 ‘중동·북아프리카 지역 에너지전환 부문 올해의 프로젝트상’을 수상했다. 이 프로젝트는 512MW의 용량을 가진 태양광 발전소로, 2025년까지 완공을 목표로 하고 있으며, 연간 1,500GWh의 전력을 생산하여 오만의 75,000여 가구에 전력을 공급할 예정이다. 또한, 이 프로젝트는 오만의 청정 수소 프로그램에도 중요한 역할을 할 것으로 기대된다. ([ijglobal.com](https://www.ijglobal.com/articles/180784/ijglobal-awards-2023-mena-deal-winners?utm_source=openai))
- https://edf-renouvelables.com/en/communiques/edf-renewables-and-korea-western-power-co-kowepo-and-masdar-announce-financial-close-of-al-ajban-solar-pv-project-in-abu-dhabi-one-of-the-worlds-largest-solar-power-plants-launched-by-ewec/ – EDF Renewables, 한국서부발전(KOWEPO), 그리고 마스다르(Masdar)는 아부다비 알 아즈반 지역에 위치한 1.5GW 용량의 태양광 발전소 프로젝트의 금융 종결을 발표했다. 이 프로젝트는 3백만 개의 양면형 태양광 패널을 설치하여 UAE의 16만 가구에 전력을 공급하며, 연간 240만 톤 이상의 CO2 배출을 감소시킬 것으로 예상된다. 또한, 이 프로젝트는 UAE의 에너지 전환 목표를 달성하는 데 중요한 역할을 할 것으로 기대된다. ([edf-renouvelables.com](https://edf-renouvelables.com/en/communiques/edf-renewables-korea-western-power-co-kowepo-and-masdar-announce-financial-close-of-al-ajban-solar-pv-project-in-abu-dhabi-one-of-the-worlds-largest-solar-power-plants-launched-by-ewec/?utm_source=openai))
- https://edf-renouvelables.com/en/communiques/edf-renewables-and-korea-western-power-companyinaugurate-sultanate-of-omans-largest-solar-power-plant/ – EDF Renewables와 한국서부발전(KOWEPO)은 오만에서 가장 큰 태양광 발전소인 마나 1호 프로젝트를 개소했다. 이 발전소는 78평방킬로미터의 면적에 100만 개의 양면형 태양광 모듈을 설치하여 연간 78만 톤의 CO2 배출을 감소시킬 것으로 예상된다. 또한, 이 프로젝트는 오만의 에너지 수요 증가에 대응하고, 오만 비전 2040의 목표 달성에 기여할 것으로 기대된다. ([edf-renouvelables.com](https://edf-renouvelables.com/en/communiques/edf-renewables-and-korea-western-power-company-inaugurate-sultanate-of-omans-largest-solar-power-plant/?utm_source=openai))
- https://edf-renouvelables.com/en/communiques/edf-renewables-and-korea-western-power-corporation-kowepo-consortium-reaches-financial-close-on-manah-1-500-mw-solar-project-in-oman/ – EDF Renewables와 한국서부발전(KOWEPO) 컨소시엄은 오만 마나 1호 500MW 태양광 프로젝트의 금융 종결을 발표했다. 이 프로젝트는 50,000여 가구에 전력을 공급하며, 연간 70만 톤의 CO2를 상쇄할 것으로 예상된다. 또한, 이 프로젝트는 오만의 청정 에너지 목표 달성에 기여하며, EDF Renewables와 KOWEPO의 글로벌 재생에너지 시장에서의 입지를 강화할 것으로 기대된다. ([edf-renouvelables.com](https://edf-renouvelables.com/en/communiques/edf-renewables-and-korea-western-power-corporation-kowepo-consortium-reaches-financial-close-on-manah-1-500-mw-solar-project-in-oman/?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.etoday.co.kr/news/view/2468304 – 한국서부발전이 아랍에미리트(UAE)에서 수주한 아즈반 태양광 발전사업이 국제적 권위를 지닌 금융 시상식에서 ‘올해의 에너지전환 프로젝트’로 선정됐다. 서부발전은 지난해 오만 마나 태양광 발전 이어 2년 연속 같은 부문 수상이라는 기록을 세우며, 해외 재생에너지 시장에서도 독보적인 존재감을 드러냈다. 아즈반 태양광 발전 사업은 발전공기업이 주도한 초대형 태양광 입찰사업으로, 총 1조 원 이상이 투입되는 대규모 프로젝트다. 서부발전은 프랑스 국영전력회사 EDF의 신재생 자회사인 EDF-R과 공동으로 2024년 2월 수주에 성공했으며, 지난해 9월 금융 종결을 마치고 현재 내년 9월 준공을 목표로 건설을 진행 중이다.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references recent events (IJ Global Awards 2024, Azfan project’s financial closure in September 2023, and current construction underway for a September 2025 completion), indicating high freshness. Details about the award and project timeline are current and align with recent industry developments.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative includes a direct quote from Lee Jung-bok, President of KOWEPO. While his statement is contextually plausible and fits the company’s recent achievements, the exact quote cannot be verified as original via independent external sources, but it is not found rehashed in older articles, suggesting it may be exclusive to this narrative.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from eToday, a reputable South Korean business news outlet. While not a globally recognized name like BBC or Reuters, it is considered a credible source in its region. Some details are corroborated by press releases from EDF-Renouvelables and IJ Global, but the main narrative is not independently verified by a top-tier international media entity.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
Claims regarding project scale, awards, and timelines are supported by both the narrative and external sources (EDF-Renouvelables press releases and IJ Global announcements). The details about the Azfan solar project (capacity, partners, investment, and environmental impact) are consistent with industry reports and highly plausible. No implausible or unsubstantiated claims are present.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is current, contains plausible and well-supported claims, and originates from a reputable regional source. The quoted statement, while not independently verified elsewhere, is contextually credible and does not appear recycled from older publications. The overall narrative is highly plausible and well-grounded in recent industry developments.
