Offshore Wind Platform Center Opens at Mokpo New Port, Set to Serve as Hub for the Industry

【Financial News, Mokpo = Hwang Tae-jong, Staff Writer】The Offshore Wind Platform Center, built at Mokpo New Port, held its opening ceremony on the 29th and began full-scale operations as a hub for the offshore wind industry.
On the 29th, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City (Gwangju Special Metropolitan City) and Mokpo City said the opening ceremony was held that day with around 200 people in attendance, including Baek Seung-ju, Gwangju Special Metropolitan City’s Deputy Mayor for Balanced Development, and Mokpo Mayor Kang Seong-hwi, as well as representatives of the Jeonnam Wind Power Association and related agencies.
Baek Seung-ju, Deputy Mayor for Balanced Development, said, “Offshore wind power is a future core industry that will drive the growth of a range of industries, including shipbuilding, equipment, ports and logistics, beyond power generation. I hope the platform center will become a key hub connecting businesses, technology and research institutions and creating new business opportunities.”
Baek also stressed, “We will bring together the strengths of Jeonnam and Gwangju to develop offshore wind power into a key driver of local economic growth and balanced development. By training skilled workers, attracting businesses and expanding investment, we will provide young people with quality jobs and help increase local residents’ incomes.”
Mokpo Mayor Kang Seong-hwi said, “I hope the Offshore Wind Platform Center will establish itself as a practical industry hub connecting businesses and institutions, technology and talent in the Southwest region. We will work closely with relevant agencies to enhance the competitiveness of the offshore wind industry and create quality jobs.”
The Offshore Wind Platform Center is intended to promote the deployment and expansion of large-scale offshore wind farms in Korea and strengthen the competitiveness of related industries. A total of 35.7 billion won was invested after Mokpo was selected for a Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy competitive project in December 2021.
The center occupies a site of 4,995 square meters, with a total floor area of 3,262 square meters, and has four stories above ground. Its current tenants include the Green Energy Institute, the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER), and eight companies involved in offshore wind power in the Southwest region.
The first floor houses an exhibition hall and amenities, the second a large conference room, the third offices for tenant companies, and the fourth an integrated control center.
In particular, the integrated control center analyzes weather and marine data, manages equipment logistics, monitors vessels at sea and oversees wind farms. It supports every stage of an offshore wind farm, from development through operation and maintenance.
Gwangju Special Metropolitan City and Mokpo City plan to strengthen cooperation among offshore wind-related businesses and relevant agencies in the Southwest region, with the center at the core, and promote joint research projects and exchanges of technical and industry information. They also plan to expand support to include specialist training and maintenance, with the aim of enhancing the competitiveness of the region’s offshore wind industry.

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