By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI, President & CEO Marie Antonia von Schönburg), in cooperation with the German Embassy Seoul and think tank adelphi under the Korean-German Energy Partnership, supported by RWE Renewables, TÜV SÜD, Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen, Skyborn Renewables, and BayWa r.e., hosted the 2025 Korean-German Business Forum on Offshore Wind Energy on September 5 at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul.

Held under the theme of “Offshore Wind Special Act and Beyond,” the forum brought together over 200 key stakeholders from Korean and German governments, business, finance, and academia to discuss Korea’s evolving offshore wind regulatory framework and explore opportunities for deeper bilateral collaboration.

Distinguished speakers included Joern Beissert, Deputy Head of Mission at German Embassy Seoul; Hyun-Nam Park, Chairperson of KGCCI & Chief Country Officer of Deutsche Bank Group Korea; Marie Antonia von Schönburg, President & CEO of KGCCI; Jinsu Shim, Director General for Renewable Energy Policy at Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE); and Chul-gyu Lee, Member of the National Assembly and Chair of the Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee.

Rep. Chul-gyu Lee, highlighted the forum’s significance: “The Korean–German Business Forum on Offshore Wind today not only served as a platform to discuss comprehensive avenues for bilateral cooperation in the offshore wind industry, but also provided important directions for future growth.”

The program featured two main sessions — Offshore Wind Special Act and Economic Feasibility of Offshore Wind Projects in Korea — followed by a pitching & fishbowl discussion on Common Grid Connection Facility. Leading experts from the Korea Energy Agency, German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), RWE Renewables Korea, Skyborn Renewables Korea, Deutsche Bank, BloombergNEF, Korea Development Bank, NEXT Group, Korea Maritime Institute, National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives, Youngin Energy Solutions, Agora Energiewende, Pusan National University, and Korea Electric Power Corporation shared their insights and expertise.

Norman Ruhnke, Policy Officer of the Unit for Offshore Wind Energy at BMWE, shared lessons from Germany’s central government-led offshore wind site designation system: “The centralized government-led planning model has helped to accelerate the German offshore wind development. It ensures optimal synchronization of the processes for developing and commissioning offshore wind parks with the planning and installation of offshore grid connections. Moreover, the central pre-selection of sites minimizes risks for project developers.”

On a panel discussing the optimal design and implementation of the Enforcement Decree of the Offshore Wind Special Act, David Jones, Country Manager of Korea and Head of Offshore Development at RWE Renewables Korea, stated; “This 4th Korean-German Business Forum on Offshore Wind Energy comes at a pivotal time. With the Special Act on Offshore Wind now in place and detailed regulations being drafted, the exchange of global lessons is invaluable. Strong government commitment, clear market frameworks, competitive auctions, and streamlined permitting are crucial to unlock the sector’s full potential, boost investor confidence, and accelerate business opportunities.”

Jihee Jeong, Chair of the Secretariat of Korean-German Energy Partnership in Korea, remarked, “The Korean-German Business Forum on Offshore Wind Energy has served as a valuable platform for sharing knowledge and experiences between our two countries. I am also pleased that it has contributed, even in a small way, to the passage of the Special Act on Offshore Wind. Starting next year, we plan to broaden the scope beyond offshore wind to encompass the entire renewable energy sector, and I kindly encourage your continued interest and support.”