GS Entec, a subsidiary of GS Group specializing in offshore wind foundations, is expanding its business into the floating offshore wind market, moving beyond fixed monopile projects.
On September 22, GS Entec announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Munmu Wind, the Korean subsidiary of Sweden's Hexicon, to supply mooring pile structures and collaborate on technology for a floating offshore wind farm.
The signing ceremony was part of the 'Korea-Sweden Offshore Wind Supply Chain Cooperation Day,' co-hosted by the Swedish Trade and Invest Council, the Swedish Embassy in Korea, and Munmu Wind.
The Munmu Wind project is a 750 MW floating offshore wind initiative being developed by Hexicon approximately 65 to 80 kilometers east of Ulsan. The project plans to install 50 floating units, leveraging favorable wind conditions and water depths of 120 to 150 meters.
Hexicon, which has developed and operated ten floating offshore wind projects across six countries, emphasizes the importance of a reliable mooring system and the technical reliability of underwater foundations.
Munmu Wind aims to lead the design and permitting processes while expanding its model of cooperative growth with local businesses.
Based in Ulsan, GS Entec is recognized as a leading manufacturer of large steel pipes and offshore wind foundations. The company has secured exclusive production licenses in Asia through a technology partnership with the Netherlands' Sif and has successfully supplied monopiles for Korea's largest offshore wind project, the Yeonggwang Nakwol.
Through this agreement, GS Entec plans to leverage its competitiveness in the existing fixed monopile market to optimize the production of mooring pile structures for floating offshore wind, facilitate technology exchange, and establish a timely supply chain. This strategy aims to broaden its focus from monopiles to floating foundations and solidify its position as a key supplier in both domestic and international markets.
There are also expectations for an expanded offshore wind supply chain in the Ulsan region. The floating offshore wind sector requires various equipment, including floating units, mooring systems, and underwater cables, which is likely to create more opportunities for local companies in the shipbuilding and offshore plant industries.
Meanwhile, GS Entec is pursuing a transition from its traditional focus on chemical process equipment to becoming a specialized company in offshore wind foundations.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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