South Korea unveils an ambitious plan to quadruple offshore wind capacity and cut costs by 2035, signalling a major shift in its renewable energy landscape and regional export potential.
The South Korean government has laid out an ambitious plan to boost offshore wind capacity and develop the supporting industrial ecosystem. According to the original report, the goal is to increase the total offshore wind capacity from around 0.35 gigawatts (GW) today to 10.5 GW by 2030, and then to 25 GW by 2035. At the same time, they’re aiming to cut power generation costs from approximately 330 Korean won per kilowatt-hour (kWh) now to about 150 won by 2035.
These measures mainly focus on quickly expanding ports, installation vessels, and financing options, along with streamlining permits and tightening project oversight. The government told a taskforce involving multiple ministries that it expects annual installation capacity to reach 4 GW by 2030, supported by targeted infrastructure investments and simplified regulations. Industry data indicates that the global offshore wind market, which hit roughly 83 GW last year, could grow to around 441 GW by 2034, opening up a significant export opportunity if domestic supply chains grow rapidly.
Ports and vessels
The government is aware that current infrastructure is limited. The report notes that only Mokpo New Port is currently set up to support large-scale offshore wind activities. Seoul plans to upgrade existing ports and create new quays for turbine assembly, storage, and heavy-lift operations. When it comes to vessels, officials intend to mobilize both public and private capital to acquire at least four wind turbine installation vessels (WTIVs), around 15 MW each, by 2030.
Developers and project companies will face an environment that’s still evolving. The plan calls for guarantees and more loans to support early-stage project finance. Officials will also explore financing tools like contributions from state growth funds and a future energy fund that will involve commercial banks.
Permitting, defense, and market setup
Streamlining permitting is a core part of the plan. The government aims to formalize military operational reviews to ensure every authorized project is checked for “operational feasibility.” For next year’s competitive tenders, they want to finish these military assessments beforehand, aiming to reduce bid uncertainties. They also want the tender process to be competitive enough, think a ratio over 2:1, to improve price discovery and push down tariffs.
A new agency, called the Offshore Wind Power Promotion Unit, will be set up and become operational within the year. This unit will directly support key approvals, resolve local conflicts, and help roll out infrastructure.
Legal and timeline adjustments
A special law, the “Act on Promotion of Offshore Wind Deployment and Industrial Development,” is scheduled to be enacted in March next year. This legislation should make site selection easier for developers and reduce permitting risks. It’s expected that the average project development time will drop from about ten years to roughly 6.5 years, an effort designed to speed up cost reductions.
Market and tech policies
Authorities are looking into lengthening contract durations and linking prices to inflation in auctions to provide better revenue guarantees. They also aim to develop regional energy hubs near wind farms, with shared grid connections, to avoid redundant transmission costs.
Industrial policy will back the development of turbines, floating platforms, and supply chains. The plan includes support for domestic projects and demonstration of 20 MW turbines, along with a 100 MW floating test facility. Plus, there will be incentives for shipbuilding and marine plant companies to join floating platform supply chains.
Community involvement and risk distribution
To tackle local acceptance issues, policymakers plan to pilot a “wind income standard model,” which will share project benefits with nearby communities. The idea is to lessen local opposition by spreading some economic gains directly to residents.
Government claims and a dose of realism
The climate ministry sees the next five years mostly as a period to lay the groundwork for offshore wind deployment. Kim Seong-hwan, the Minister of Climate, Energy, and Environment, said at the taskforce meeting: “This approach, well, at least to me, seems like a practical plan for establishing a solid basis for offshore wind in the years ahead.” The ministry emphasizes that this straightforward, pragmatic approach focuses on removing site-specific hurdles and positioning South Korea as a leader in Asia-Pacific offshore wind.
Experts believe the targets are technically feasible, but it’ll demand quick coordination between defense teams, ports, financiers, and local governments. The scale of port conversions, vessel procurement, and domestic turbine manufacturing needed is quite significant. The expected cost drop from 330 won/kWh to 150 won/kWh implies a need for faster deployment, plus the benefits of learning curves driven by larger volumes and local supply chains.
Implications for regional markets
For anyone involved in climate tech in the UAE and the broader Gulf region, South Korea’s aggressive push highlights growing competition and opportunities in offshore wind exports and technology development. The Korean plan might accelerate demand for floating platform expertise, specialized installation vessels, and grid integration tools. Regional utilities and investors keeping an eye on offshore renewables should note Seoul’s integrated support approach, covering ports, finance, industrial development, and legal reforms.
In summary, the Korean government is proposing a comprehensive package to transition offshore wind from small pilot projects to large-scale deployment. If they manage to stay on track, this could reshape domestic manufacturing capabilities and open up new export routes for turbines and marine systems. Of course, the success will depend heavily on how well different sectors collaborate and how swiftly both public and private entities can align with this ambitious timetable.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.etoday.co.kr/news/view/2534504 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.etoday.co.kr/news/view/2534504 – The South Korean government has announced plans to expand offshore wind power infrastructure, aiming to increase the cumulative capacity from 0.35GW to 25GW by 2035. The strategy includes building port facilities and vessels to support an annual increase of 4GW by 2030. Additionally, the government intends to reduce the electricity generation cost from 330 KRW per kWh to 150 KRW per kWh by 2035. The plan also involves streamlining permitting processes and establishing a dedicated offshore wind power promotion team to expedite project timelines and enhance competitiveness.
- https://www.seoul.co.kr/news/economy/2025/12/11/20251211018001 – The South Korean government has unveiled a plan to significantly boost offshore wind power capacity, aiming to increase the cumulative capacity from 0.35GW to 25GW by 2035. This initiative includes constructing port facilities and vessels to support an annual increase of 4GW by 2030. The government also plans to reduce the electricity generation cost from 330 KRW per kWh to 150 KRW per kWh by 2035. The strategy involves streamlining permitting processes and establishing a dedicated offshore wind power promotion team to expedite project timelines and enhance competitiveness.
- https://www.viva100.com/article/20251210501117 – The South Korean government has announced plans to expand offshore wind power infrastructure, aiming to increase the cumulative capacity from 0.35GW to 25GW by 2035. The strategy includes building port facilities and vessels to support an annual increase of 4GW by 2030. Additionally, the government intends to reduce the electricity generation cost from 330 KRW per kWh to 150 KRW per kWh by 2035. The plan also involves streamlining permitting processes and establishing a dedicated offshore wind power promotion team to expedite project timelines and enhance competitiveness.
- https://dailian.co.kr/news/view/1583749 – The South Korean government has unveiled a plan to significantly boost offshore wind power capacity, aiming to increase the cumulative capacity from 0.35GW to 25GW by 2035. This initiative includes constructing port facilities and vessels to support an annual increase of 4GW by 2030. The government also plans to reduce the electricity generation cost from 330 KRW per kWh to 150 KRW per kWh by 2035. The strategy involves streamlining permitting processes and establishing a dedicated offshore wind power promotion team to expedite project timelines and enhance competitiveness.
- https://www.newspim.com/news/view/20251210000171 – The South Korean government has announced plans to expand offshore wind power infrastructure, aiming to increase the cumulative capacity from 0.35GW to 25GW by 2035. The strategy includes building port facilities and vessels to support an annual increase of 4GW by 2030. Additionally, the government intends to reduce the electricity generation cost from 330 KRW per kWh to 150 KRW per kWh by 2035. The plan also involves streamlining permitting processes and establishing a dedicated offshore wind power promotion team to expedite project timelines and enhance competitiveness.
- https://www.kukinews.com/article/view/kuk202512100011 – The South Korean government has unveiled a plan to significantly boost offshore wind power capacity, aiming to increase the cumulative capacity from 0.35GW to 25GW by 2035. This initiative includes constructing port facilities and vessels to support an annual increase of 4GW by 2030. The government also plans to reduce the electricity generation cost from 330 KRW per kWh to 150 KRW per kWh by 2035. The strategy involves streamlining permitting processes and establishing a dedicated offshore wind power promotion team to expedite project timelines and enhance competitiveness.
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:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent developments in South Korea’s offshore wind expansion plan, with the earliest known publication date being December 10, 2025. The plan aims to increase offshore wind capacity from 0.35 GW to 10.5 GW by 2030 and to 25 GW by 2035, aligning with previous reports from August 2024 and December 2024. The focus on infrastructure expansion, including ports and installation vessels, and cost reduction strategies, such as lowering generation costs from 330 won/kWh to 150 won/kWh by 2035, are consistent with earlier reports. The emphasis on streamlining permits and tightening project oversight is also in line with previous narratives. The inclusion of updated data, such as the global offshore wind market growth projection from 83 GW to 441 GW by 2034, adds freshness to the content. However, the core information appears to be recycled from earlier reports, with no significant new developments or exclusive insights. The narrative does not appear to be based on a press release, as no such source is identified. The update may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged for recycling older material. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The narrative does not include any content republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is August 11, 2024. The narrative includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes a direct quote from Kim Seong-hwan, the Minister of Climate, Energy, and Environment: “This approach—well, at least to me—seems like a practical plan for establishing a solid basis for offshore wind in the years ahead.” This quote appears to be original and not found in earlier material. No identical quotes were found in earlier sources, indicating potential originality. The wording of the quote matches the original source, with no variations identified.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from eToday, a South Korean news outlet. While eToday is a known publication, it is not as widely recognized internationally as some other outlets. The report does not mention any unverifiable entities or individuals, and the information aligns with known facts. However, the outlet’s reputation and reach may affect the perceived reliability of the information.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative are plausible and align with South Korea’s known energy policies and goals. The targets of increasing offshore wind capacity to 10.5 GW by 2030 and 25 GW by 2035 are consistent with previous reports. The emphasis on infrastructure expansion, cost reduction, and streamlining permits is in line with the country’s renewable energy strategies. The inclusion of updated data, such as the global offshore wind market growth projection, adds credibility. The language and tone are consistent with official communications, and the structure focuses on relevant details without excessive or off-topic information. No inconsistencies or suspicious elements were identified.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative provides a comprehensive overview of South Korea’s offshore wind expansion plan, incorporating updated data and a direct quote from a government official. While the core information aligns with previous reports, the inclusion of new data and the original quote suggest potential originality. The source’s reliability is moderate, and the claims made are plausible and consistent with known facts. However, the recycling of older material and the outlet’s limited international recognition warrant further scrutiny.
