The Korea South-East Power Co. (KOSEP), a unit of the state-run Korea Electric Power Corp., said Wednesday that it completed a wind farm with nine South Korea-produced wind power turbines off the west coast of the country.

   The wind power farm, located in a thermal power plant complex on Yeongheung Island, can generate up to 22 megawatts of electricity, providing power to 12,000 homes annually, according to KOSEP.

   The wind farm is expected to reduce some 3,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions a year, helping the country cut back on greenhouse gas emissions and provide clean electricity.

   The 56 billion won (US$53 million) wind farm has nine wind power turbines, built by three domestic builders such as Unison Co., Samsung Heavy Industries Co. and Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction Co., according to KOSEP.

   "This is the first wind farm to comprise mid- and large-sized turbines produced by domestic firms," said KOSEP.

   The South Korean government has been pushing to promote wind power generation as the global wind power market is expected to grow 20 to 30 percent annually to reach 150 trillion won in 2015.

   KOSEP said that it has a plan to build an additional 30-megawatt wind power farm in the complex and extend its business abroad.

   "We will participate in projects in Romania and Macedonia starting early next year," said the company.

Source: Yonhap News (July 20, 2011)