Renewable energy in Korea: a Belgian affair too?

26 April 2022
Article
Pieter Jan Jordaens

A series of online lectures organised by the Belgian Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, on 10 May will look into offshore wind and solar energy, and how it is reshaping the renewable energy scene. The panel discussion "Hot and Windy: on the future of our energy" will take place in this context, with the participation of Sirris.

South Korea is one of the first Asian countries to aim for net zero fossil energy consumption by 2050. Under the Korea New Deal announced in July 2020, more than USD 135 billion will be invested in sustainable and technology-driven sectors this decade alone. Renewable energy is therefore currently in full development. The government announced that it wants at least 20 per cent of its energy to come from renewable sources by 2030. The country plans to install 12 GW offshore wind capacity, generated by both fixed and floating turbines. This is ten times the current capacity of 125 MW. Moreover, it plans to install an additional 8 GW offshore wind capacity by 2034.

Some of the world's largest offshore wind projects are currently in the pipeline here, including 22 offshore wind projects in the licensing phase. Two of the main projects are 8.2-GW Sinan Offshore Wind Park and the 6-GW Ulsan Floating Wind Park (accounting for five concessions, with Western participations).

In the context of these ambitious plans, where Belgian companies active in this sector can and will play an important role, the Belgian embassy in the South Korean capital Seoul is organising the panel discussion “Hot and Windy: on the future of our energy” on 10 May, during which various Korean and Belgian experts will speak on the subject. Sirris, which has already built up considerable experience and expertise in this field through the OWI-Lab, will also take part in the debate.

Interested in following this future-oriented panel discussion? More information is available here.

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