The Korea Electric Research Institute (KERI), a key technology institute in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, signed an "Offshore Wind Power Scale-up Program Business Agreement" with SK Eco Plant and SK Ocean Plant to strengthen the technological competitiveness of companies in the offshore wind power field.
The agreement takes place within the framework of the Changwon Special Small and Medium-Sized Zone, which is an initiative aimed at fostering specialized local companies. This project focuses on activities such as technology transfer commercialization and providing support for small yet technologically advanced startups, with KERI serving as a central institution.
SK Eco Plant has been actively promoting the Eco Open Platform as part of its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management efforts. This platform seeks to cultivate environmentally friendly businesses and establish a sustainable industrial ecosystem.
The partnership agreement between KERI, SK Eco Plant, and SK Ocean Plant aims to facilitate cooperation in various aspects, including joint technology development and the identification of outstanding companies involved in offshore wind power within the Changwon Special Small and Medium-Sized Zone and the Eco Open Platform.
Under this agreement, SK Eco Plant will spearhead program planning, communication, and idea contests to invigorate the offshore wind power industry. Meanwhile, SK Ocean Plant will contribute by providing insights and concepts related to offshore wind power, as well as developing and commercializing relevant technologies.
KERI, on its part, will play a crucial role in identifying exceptional companies within the Special Small and Medium-Sized Zone in Changwon. Additionally, KERI will facilitate the integration of value chains, provide support for the commercialization of offshore wind power technologies through funding initiatives, and collaborate with technology startup programs.
“We will continue to create a cooperative model so that Changwon Jiangsu Special Zone startups with excellent innovative technology can receive market verification opportunities through collaboration with large and medium-sized companies," said Kim Tae-hyun, head of KERI's Strategic Policy Division. "We will spare no support so that this agreement can become a successful case of open innovation.”
Meanwhile, KERI is a government-funded research institute under the National Science and Technology Research Council of the Ministry of Science and ICT of South Korea.
Since its designation in 2019, the Changwon Special Small and Medium-Sized Zone has invested a total project cost of 14.76 billion won until last year to support technology discovery, technology transfer commercialization, and specialized growth of small and medium-sized strong technology startups related to intelligent electricity-based machine fusion. Major achievements include 58 cases of technology transfer, establishment of 23 research institute companies, and establishment of 34 start-up companies in specialized fields.
