Off the coast of Ulsan, Korea, the prestigious Haewoori Offshore Wind projects, namely phases 2 and 3 with a tremendous potential of 500MW each, are stepping into a pivotal phase. Aker Solutions, in collaboration with Principle Power, has been chosen to lead the front-end engineering and design (FEED) work for these groundbreaking floating wind projects.
Aker Solutions Spearheads FEED Process
The responsibility placed upon Aker Solutions is not just substantial but a reflection of trust in their ability to innovate within the industry. Their tasks are manifold—overseeing the overall design, managing floating foundation structures, inter-array cable design, optimizing the marshaling port, and ensuring seamless integration of the wind turbines. This also includes planning for transport and installation, setting in motion a trajectory for the project’s eventual realization.
Principle Power’s Role and WindFloat® Technology
With Principle Power at the helm as a subcontractor, the focus will be on the ingenious design of floating platforms and mooring systems, utilizing its signature WindFloat® technology, a trusted name in the field. As Aker Solutions concentrates on execution planning, a synergy will be created to increase local participation from the Korean supply chains, bolstering both local expertise and economic growth.
Executives Envision a Bright Future
The enthusiastic voice of Jonathan Spink, CEO of Haewoori Offshore Wind, resonates with optimism as he speaks of the collaboration, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between the technical prowess of Aker Solutions and Principle Power. There is a commitment to tapping into Korea’s local resources, which are expected to foster an accelerated growth trajectory for the region’s budding offshore wind sector, thereby achieving cost-effectiveness and reducing potential risks.
Norwegian energy service company Aker Solutions also holds this collaboration in high regard. Henrik Inadomi, their EVP of New Energies, articulates the company’s fervor for such ventures that accentuate offshore capabilities and expedite the deployment of wind solutions on a global scale. Meanwhile, Aaron Smith from Principle Power underscores Korea’s significant strides towards harnessing floating wind technology on a commercial scale, emphasizing the experience and technological access that their partnership with Aker Solutions brings to the table.
With a synchronized start, work on this ambitious FEED endeavour will commence immediately, with expectations set for culmination by November 2024, setting a course for what aims to be a revolutionary transformation in the renewable energy sector.
