Hanbando Offshore Wind, a project being developed by Ocean Winds (OW), an international company dedicated to offshore wind energy and established as a 50-50 joint venture by EDP Renewables and ENGIE, announced that it has officially commenced preparations for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) required for permitting its 1,125MW offshore wind project in Incheon.

On February 13th, Hanbando Offshore Wind held a contract signing ceremony at its headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul, with Saekwang Engineering Consultants, a specialized marine engineering company, for the EIA of the project. Hanbando Offshore Wind aims to predict and evaluate the environmental impact of the offshore wind project in advance and explore sustainable environmental mitigation and conservation measures.

Hanbando Offshore Wind is a large-scale project to establish a 1,125MW fixed-bottom offshore wind farm approximately 120 km off the coast of Incheon. The project is currently being developed exclusively by Ocean Winds, which is also present in Korea with its KF Wind floating offshore wind project under development off the coast of Ulsan.

In line with its ongoing EBL process, Hanbando Offshore Wind has been making extensive efforts to enhance local acceptance, including holding multiple briefing sessions in Ongjin County and Yeonsu District. In November 2024, Hanbando Offshore Wind signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with approximately 20 associations of residents and fisheries from the Incheon and Gyeonggi regions to strengthen mutual cooperation, ensuring that community voices are reflected in sustainable development strategies. Additionally, Hanbando Offshore Wind has forged partnerships with key supply chain companies, such as Hyundai Steel, Taihan Cable & Solution, GS Entec, and Hyundai Engineering & Steel Industries, to enhance collaboration with regional manufacturers and establish an efficient supply chain for the offshore wind sector.

Sekwang Engineering Consultants, which will conduct the environmental impact assessment for Hanbando Offshore Wind, was the first specialized marine engineering firm in the country and has successfully carried out planning, design, and construction supervision for major port facilities nationwide. Additionally, the company possesses extensive expertise in environmental impact assessments for offshore wind projects, marine surveys and analysis, feasibility studies, civil engineering, and geotechnical fields.

Alex Choi, Head of Business Development for Hanbando Offshore Wind, stated, “We are pleased to take this new step in the development of the Hanbando offshore wind farm by collaborating with a team equipped with optimized expertise and technical capabilities for environmental impact assessments. Through scientific marine environmental analysis, impact evaluation, and alternative solutions, we will develop an offshore wind farm that harmonizes with local communities, including fisheries near the development site.”