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A nacelle is a component of a wind turbine that houses various equipment including a shaft, gearbox, and generator. Although most wind turbines use a gearbox to increase the speed of the blades, it takes a long time to reoperate in case of gearbox failure. The direct drive turbine types can lower the failure rate and are relatively cheaper than ordinary wind generators as they don't use a gearbox.
Doosan Enerbility said in a statement on February 7 that the company will work with Simens Gamesa (SGRE) to assemble SGRE's offshore wind turbine nacelles at its facility. According to Doosan Enerbility, SGRE, which secures various models including direct drive turbine types, has topped the global offshore wind power market. The two companies will also discover and nurture South Korean parts makers for the establishment of the domestic offshore wind ecosystem and carry out educational programs.
"Through this partnership, Doosan looks forward to boosting its competitiveness across the overall offshore wind power sector through measures, such as the upgrading of existing products and diversification of models," Doosan Enerbility CEO Park Hong-ook said in a statement.
The framework agreement follows a memorandum of understanding made in June 2022 between the two sides to investigate potential products and services optimized for South Korea's offshore wind market while exploring a supply chain and related industries.
To reduce the use of fossil fuel and nuclear power for electricity generation, the government of ex-president Moon Jae-in has endorsed many different wind power projects. However, floating offshore wind farms fell behind the priorities of the country’s energy policy after Yoon Suk-yeol from the conservative People Power Party took office as the new president in May 2022.
Yoon showed skepticism toward the effectiveness of floating wind power generation. Unlike Moon who tried to phase out nuclear power plants through the "nuclear-exit" policy, the current president insisted that nuclear power plants are crucial in restoring industrial competitiveness.
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