- Initial application filed for a 680 MW project to maintain project continuity before wind resource measurement data expires -

Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Chan-dae) announced that on July 30 it submitted an application to the Electricity Commission under the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment for a power generation business permit for the Incheon Public-Led Offshore Wind Cluster (IC1).

The application was filed by the Incheon Housing & City Development Corporation, the city’s dedicated energy agency, with an initial capacity of 680 MW. The city had originally planned to develop the entire 1,000 MW cluster designated as an offshore wind cluster by incorporating it into a designated power generation zone under applicable offshore wind regulations. However, because the government has yet to issue the official notice establishing the power generation zone designation framework, the city has first applied for a 680 MW project permit to ensure business continuity before the wind resource measurement data expires. The remaining portion of the project will be developed in phases once the power generation zone system and related criteria are finalized.

The designation requirements for the offshore wind cluster, which form the basis of the permit application, are also being implemented without delay. These requirements include: resolving potential overlap with marine protected areas around uninhabited islands in the West Sea; completing military operational consultations with the Ministry of National Defense; and conducting consultations on grid connection.

Among these, the issue concerning marine protected areas was resolved through a notification issued by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on July 7. Following the Ministry of National Defense’s conditional approval in February, the city is currently pursuing administrative agreements with the relevant military units. These administrative agreements are intended as mutual agreements to faithfully implement the conditions presented by the Ministry of National Defense and its subordinate units in accordance with the designation requirements established by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment.

The city is also consulting with relevant organizations on various approaches to grid connection and plans to satisfy all designation requirements for the offshore wind cluster within this year to ensure the stable implementation of the project.

Since the early planning stages, Incheon has promoted the public-led offshore wind project through ongoing communication with residents, fishermen, and other stakeholders. Since 2022, the city has operated a public-private consultative committee to share project updates and gather feedback at every major stage, including site selection, support for cluster development, and the application for offshore wind cluster designation. It has also prepared a project developer selection process under the cluster system, along with community benefit projects funded through additional support resources.

In particular, developers selected through the offshore wind cluster program will be required to pursue the project based on mutual growth with local communities. The city also plans to use additional support funding to implement community benefit projects that reflect the needs of fishermen, residents, and other stakeholders. Going forward, Incheon will continue responding proactively to policy changes, including reforms to the government’s Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) system and the introduction of the power generation zone framework, while developing an optimal business model that maximizes local benefits and establishes a successful public-led offshore wind model that grows together with local communities.

Mayor Park Chan-dae stated, “Incheon’s public-led offshore wind project is being systematically managed and implemented in line with evolving government policies and institutional frameworks. Leveraging Incheon’s strategic location adjacent to the Seoul metropolitan area’s largest electricity demand center, we will continue advancing the project in a stable and systematic manner. We will also create new growth engines linked to regional industries and successfully establish a public-led offshore wind model that delivers mutual benefits for local communities.”