Korea’s 50 Years of Wind Power (1975–2025):
Tracing the Future of Korea’s Energy Transition Through Jeju’s Five Milestones
Author
Kim, Dongjoo (Planning Director, Korean Association for Environmental Sociology)
Summary
Jeju has long been recognized as the birthplace of wind power in Korea. Over the past 50 years, the island has led national progress across five pivotal dimensions—self-generation, commercial deployment, transmission, consumption and conversion, and testbed innovation.
1. Self-Generation Beginnings (1975– )
Korea’s first self-generation wind turbine began operating in Jeju in 1975. Since then, Jeju has continued to develop wind power systems for both island regions and mid-mountain settlements.
2. Commercial Wind Power & Conflict-Resolution Models
Korea’s first commercial onshore wind project was launched in Haengwon (1998), followed by Asia’s first permitted offshore wind project in 2006. To alleviate conflicts arising from commercial wind development, Jeju introduced pioneering institutional tools such as designated wind development zones and community wind models.
3. Innovation in Transmission & Grid Integration
Jeju was the first in Korea to establish a dedicated transmission line between wind farms and KEPCO substations. The island also implemented mandatory undergrounding, shared grid connection facilities, and HVDC subsea cable systems for reverse transmission to the mainland.
4. Consumption, Conversion & Energy Transition Experiments
Jeju has actively tested energy transition solutions including widespread EV adoption, ESS and P2X technologies, and green hydrogen pilot projects.
5. A National Testbed for Technology & Policy
From the national wind research site of the 1980s to the 2024 pilot program for electricity market reform, Jeju has served as a core testbed for both technological advancement and policy development.
As Korea moves toward offshore wind–centered strategies, insights from Jeju’s 50-year trajectory are essential for shaping the next phase of national energy policy.
Cover Information
- Front Cover Photo: Haengwon Coastal Wind Farm (3MW), operated by Jeju Provincial Government, located at Conan Beach, Haengwon-ri. (Provided by the author)
- Back Cover Photo: Tamra Offshore Wind Farm, located in Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju. (Provided by Tamra Offshore Wind Power Co., Ltd.)
※ The Energy Transition Forum Briefs aim to broaden public understanding of the urgency and significance of Korea’s energy transition. By gathering diverse perspectives, the series seeks to explore constructive and actionable pathways forward. This publication reflects the author’s views and may not represent the official position of the Energy Transition Forum.
Korea’s 50 Years of Wind Power (1975–2025):
Tracing the Future of Korea’s Energy Transition Through Jeju’s Five Milestones
Author
Kim, Dongjoo (Planning Director, Korean Association for Environmental Sociology)
Summary
Jeju has long been recognized as the birthplace of wind power in Korea. Over the past 50 years, the island has led national progress across five pivotal dimensions—self-generation, commercial deployment, transmission, consumption and conversion, and testbed innovation.
1. Self-Generation Beginnings (1975– )
Korea’s first self-generation wind turbine began operating in Jeju in 1975. Since then, Jeju has continued to develop wind power systems for both island regions and mid-mountain settlements.
2. Commercial Wind Power & Conflict-Resolution Models
Korea’s first commercial onshore wind project was launched in Haengwon (1998), followed by Asia’s first permitted offshore wind project in 2006. To alleviate conflicts arising from commercial wind development, Jeju introduced pioneering institutional tools such as designated wind development zones and community wind models.
3. Innovation in Transmission & Grid Integration
Jeju was the first in Korea to establish a dedicated transmission line between wind farms and KEPCO substations. The island also implemented mandatory undergrounding, shared grid connection facilities, and HVDC subsea cable systems for reverse transmission to the mainland.
4. Consumption, Conversion & Energy Transition Experiments
Jeju has actively tested energy transition solutions including widespread EV adoption, ESS and P2X technologies, and green hydrogen pilot projects.
5. A National Testbed for Technology & Policy
From the national wind research site of the 1980s to the 2024 pilot program for electricity market reform, Jeju has served as a core testbed for both technological advancement and policy development.
As Korea moves toward offshore wind–centered strategies, insights from Jeju’s 50-year trajectory are essential for shaping the next phase of national energy policy.
Cover Information
※ The Energy Transition Forum Briefs aim to broaden public understanding of the urgency and significance of Korea’s energy transition. By gathering diverse perspectives, the series seeks to explore constructive and actionable pathways forward. This publication reflects the author’s views and may not represent the official position of the Energy Transition Forum.