The MunmuBaram is a floating offshore wind project off the coast of Ulsan, South Korea. It is a joint venture (JV) between Shell (80%) and CoensHexicon (20%), where CoensHexicon is a JV between Hexicon (49%) and Korean company COENS Co (51%). The first EBL out of a total of three possible was secured for the area in November 2021. The hope was to secure all three which would take the project further into the intermediate stage of development, this goal has now been reached. This means that the project can go full steam ahead towards the next step which is to secure a grid connection agreement. The CEO of Hexicon, Marcus Thor is excited and happy about the latest development for the project:

“To have been granted all three EBLs means that we can now fully focus on realizing the total planned output of 1,3 GW of the project, which has the possibility to bring renewable offshore wind power to more than 1 million South Korean households. The next milestone will be to secure a grid connection agreement. This can happen already this year, well ahead of the planned fabrication start.”

Since 2019, the MunmuBaram-project has been carrying out the groundworks such as the wind data measurement campaigns. In September 2021, MunmuBaram was the first floating offshore wind developer in South Korea to successfully complete the geotechnical and geophysical surveys needed. It currently continues to progress the project development through Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), marine traffic survey, cultural heritage survey and other activities. Subject to future investment decisions, the MunmuBaram-project will be developed in phases, and once constructed, expected to generate up to 4.2 terawatt-hour (TWh) of clean electricity every year.

More information about the MunmuBaram-project can be found on the website: http://www.munmubaram.com

Adrienne most recently was the Principal Engineer for offshore wind for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). During her tenure, Adrienne led NYSERDA’s nation-leading offshore wind program with the goal of reaching 9 gigawatts (GW) by 2035, and successfully procured an excess of 4.3 GW. Previously, Adrienne supported the establishment of wind turbine original equipment manufacturer ENERCON’s operations in North America.

Major new commitments in the US supporting offshore wind signal potential for as much as 35 GW of floating wind power by 2040, and almost 60 GW by 2050, on President Biden’s path to 110 GW of offshore wind by 2050. Glidepaths for leasing, permitting, and major investments are set to achieve 30 GW of offshore wind power by 2030, which will trigger more than USD 109 billion total expenditures.

The Pacific Coast, the Gulfs of Mexico and Maine and deeper waters of the Central Atlantic are expected to benefit from major deployments of floating offshore wind as the ocean is too deep for bottom-fixed wind energy in these geographies. Floating offshore wind will therefore offer a critical pathway to meet these regions’ ambitious clean energy goals through reliable cost-effective renewable energy.

Marcus Thor, CEO of Hexicon said: “We are honoured to have Adrienne Downey join us as the Principal Engineer and Country Manager for the US and Canada; two countries with large ambitions for energy transition. Adrienne has extensive experience in offshore wind power and we can’t think of a better champion for Hexicon in North America. We now look forward to having Adrienne help us leverage both our project development know-how and our technological innovations over the coming years in North America including establishing strategic partnerships to support large-scale lease auctions, advancing local relationships in supply-chain development, and championing priority research and development.”

Adrienne Downey said: “I am delighted to take the helm of Hexicon in the US and Canada at such an exciting moment. Offshore wind is poised to bring tremendous benefits and cost-effective renewable development to the global fight against climate change, and faster deployment of deep-water technology is key to unlocking this potential.  After years of proud public service leading the nation’s largest and most sophisticated offshore wind market, I am excited to help translate my deep sector knowledge to this critical technology inflection point, supporting rapid deployment and local partnerships to unlock unprecedented economic ecosystems.”

Hexicon was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden focusing on the development of floating offshore wind farms and designs dual turbine floating wind power platforms.
Hexicon and its diverse global team are dedicated to the deployment of large-scale and environmentally friendly energy production. Hexicon’s technology and knowledge are focused on delivering a cost effective and reliable supply of electricity generation, while maintaining a sustainable society for future generations.

Hexicon’s patented floating platforms can be positioned further offshore and in deeper waters than conventional fixed bottom offshore wind designs, resulting in better wind conditions. Hexicon’s proprietary dual turbine floating wind power platforms, TwinWind™, also allows the platform to align with the direction of the wind, maximizing efficiency with enhanced cable, foundation, installation, and environmental efficiencies.