Unison (018000.KS), a wind turbine maker, is teaming up with North Jeolla Province, the city of Gunsan and Kunsan National University to build an offshore wind cluster.
The company said on the 17th that it signed a memorandum of understanding with the three partners on cooperation to develop an offshore wind industry ecosystem, at the Saemangeum Clean Energy Expo that opened the same day. Under the agreement, the four parties will set up a framework covering investment, administrative support and industry-academia cooperation to expand the offshore wind industry in the Gunsan area of North Jeolla and to boost the local economy.
Unison is considering building a 13.6-megawatt-class wind turbine plant in Gunsan rather than at its existing plant in Sacheon. The investment is expected to total 120 billion to 150 billion won ($86 million to $108 million). The company is also weighing whether to relocate its research and development organization in Daejeon, along with its operations and maintenance business division.
North Jeolla Province and Gunsan will support permit consultations and the use of key equipment produced by local companies, while Kunsan National University will handle the training of specialized personnel and provide research and testing support. "We will work closely with North Jeolla Province, Gunsan and Kunsan National University to carry out the Gunsan investment without setbacks and help build a local offshore wind industry ecosystem," a Unison official said.
