Offshore wind development, which has been concentrated in the southwestern region including Jeollanam-do, is now preparing to bear fruit in Busan. The Dadaepo offshore wind power project pursued by Busan Offshore Wind Power is a fixed-bottom offshore wind project that will install 10 wind turbines rated at 9.9 MW each in waters near Dadaepo Port in Saha-gu, Busan. As the only offshore wind project currently underway in Busan, it is proceeding through licensing procedures with a target construction start in May 2027. Despite some concerns about landscape and low-frequency noise, fishermen and residents who support the project expect it to create jobs for local youth and new income sources, while breathing new life into the western Busan economy. E2News visited the Dadaepo site in Saha-gu, Busan on November 5, 2026 to hear about expectations for the Dadaepo offshore wind project and challenges for regional coexistence. We met with Choi Woo-jin, CEO of Busan Offshore Wind Power, Choi Joo-tae, head of the Dadae fishing village cooperative, and representatives of residents and youth groups who have expressed support for the project to hear about the direction of project implementation and the changes the region hopes to see.
"We have tried to meet with those who oppose the project and persuade them. We have held more than 100 briefing sessions, public hearings and meetings with residents and fishermen."
Choi Woo-jin, CEO of Busan Offshore Wind Power, whom we met at the company's office in Saha-gu, Busan on November 5, 2026, said he has made these efforts to secure community acceptance. He explained that the company is preparing coexistence agreements with fishing communities, resident benefit-sharing, local business participation and youth employment plans so that tangible benefits return to the region.
Dadaepo offshore wind was selected in the first half of 2025 through a competitive auction for publicly led offshore wind projects. The target is to receive final public water surface use and occupation licences by the end of 2026 or early 2027, begin construction in May 2027, and complete the project by 2030. KOSPO (Korea Southern Power) is being considered as the largest shareholder with an investment stake of 40 to 60 percent.
