Jeju Island plans to construct enough wind power plants to generate 2,350 megawatts of electricity by 2030 to meet growing demand and increase the share of renewable energy, the local government announced on Thursday.

The planned increase in its wind energy capacity breaks down to 2,000 megawatts offshore and 350 megawatts onshore.

The local government will add 1,000 megawatts in offshore plants by 2019 and another 1,000 megawatts by 2030. It signed agreements on offshore wind power plant construction with KEPCO Engineering & Construction Co. in December 2010 and with Korea Southern Power Co. in September 2011.

KOSPO concluded an environmental assessment but the project could be delayed as villagers oppose it due to possible damage to fisheries.

Offshore projects for some 350 megawatts of capacity are currently under way in various parts of the island.

In a planned incident, Jeju Energy Corp. will spend 60 billion won ($53.9 million) to construct wind power plants, together generating 2-3 megawatts of electricity by 2015.

By Suh Hye-rim (sheren6735@heraldcorp.com)