http://www.newenergyworldnetwork.com/renewable-energy-news/by-technology/wind/south-korea-unveils-major-offshore-wind-plans.html

South Korea is to launch a KRW9 trillion ($7.8bn) offshore wind turbine testing ground in the Yellow Sea, paving the way for 1,000 turbines to be installed off its coastline over the next decade.

The government said it will build a proving area in the northern part of the East China Sea to test 20 turbines from a variety of manufacturers by 2013 before constructing an experimental complex with 200 5MW turbines, local media has reported.
The Jonhap News Agency said officials from the Ministry of Knowledge Economy have now confirmed plans to install 1,000 wind turbines, creating 5GW of electricity per hour, constructed as far out as 30km from its shoreline.
The wind parks will be off the coast of southwestern regions of South and North Jeolla provinces, and generate the power equivalent to four nuclear reactors.
‘The site was picked for its shallow water, which makes the construction much easier and also cuts the cost significantly,’ officials said.
The government is expected to finalise plans for the project by the end of October.
Alongside increasing the amount of electricity it derives from wind energy, steps have also been taken to launch a domestic electric vehicle market. Earlier this month, South Korea-based car giant Hyundai unveiled the battery-powered BlueOn, which is now in use at official government agencies.
But the government’s aim to make its power generation cleaner is also leading it to build 11 nuclear reactors by 2030, on top of the eight already under construction and the 20 in operation.
Alongside these plans are attempts to increase the amount of solar installations in the country.
In September, SunEdison and the South Korean government of Gyeongsangnam-do signed a memorandum of understanding to establish 400MW of solar power plants in the province.