The agreement is expected to unlock the potential of the floating wind industry in South Korea. Credit: Sarens.

Engineering and technology company Technip Energies has entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with yard infrastructure provider Youngchang and Sarens, a heavy lifting solutions provider, to partner on floating offshore wind projects in South Korea.

The MoU will play a crucial role in unlocking the floating offshore wind sector’s potential in the country.

The companies aim to develop integrated solutions to provide floating wind turbine marshalling and integration services. The MoU will leverage Youngchang’s Shinan yard and Sarens’ heavy lifting and engineered transport capabilities.

Established in 1996, Youngchang Heavy Industries has a steel fabrication capacity of 90,000 tonnes annually at its Shinan yard.

The yard is 330,000m² and has a 310m quay wall with sufficient water depth to offer steel fabricating and integration services for offshore wind projects.

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Technip Energies floating offshore wind vice-president Willy Gauttier stated: “The complementary nature of the three parties will enable us to offer our customers the possibility of integrating turbines on our floaters at Young Chang’s Shinan yard.

“This agreement illustrates our commitment to solving integration challenges in our floating offshore wind business.”

Sarens Projects managing director Carl Sarens stated: “We are looking forward to our cooperation with Technip Energies and Young-Chang Heavy Industries. Our objective is to combine our strengths by bringing in Sarens’ expertise in offshore wind, marshalling of foundations and wind turbine integration, as well as local presence.

“At Sarens, we find it is our duty to support, at large, offshore wind projects in Korea. This cooperation will accelerate the country’s energy transition.”

In July 2023, Sarens completed major works on the three floating foundations for the Provence Grand Large offshore wind farm.

To be located off the coast in the Marseille region in France, the project includes three turbines with 8.4MW of capacity. These wind turbines were installed on floating foundations designed by SBM Offshore.