Equinor's Bandibuli floating offshore wind project, situated off the coast of Ulsan, South Korea, has achieved a significant milestone with the approval of its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). This clearance paves the way for the project to compete in the upcoming fixed-price contract auction for wind power projects in the region.
The Bandibuli project, which obtained its electric business license in November 2021, underwent an extensive EIA process spanning approximately two years, double the standard duration in the industry. Equinor emphasized the thoroughness of the assessment, which included monthly surveys and assessments covering a wide range of environmental and socio-economic factors.
Bjørn Inge Braathen, Equinor Korea's country managing director, highlighted the collaborative approach taken during the EIA, stating, “The Environmental Impact Assessment for the Bandibuli project was conducted through close cooperation with local fishermen and residents, adhering to both domestic EIA and international ESIA standards set by the International Finance Corporation.”
Torgeir Nakken, project director for the Bandibuli Floating Offshore Wind Project, underscored the project's significance in advancing floating offshore wind technology, saying, “With the successful completion of the EIA, the Bandibuli project is now eligible to participate in the Korean fixed price contract auction for wind power projects later this year.”
Equinor, a pioneer in floating offshore wind technology with projects like Hywind Scotland and Hywind Tampen, aims to leverage its expertise alongside Korea's robust supply chain to propel the development of Bandibuli.
