Iberdrola has initiated three new offshore wind development projects in Taiwan, with potential capacity of approximately 6GW.
The projects are named Da-Chung Bu Offshore Wind, Guo-Feng Offshore Wind and Ju-Dao Offshore Wind.
They will be located in the county waters of Taichung, Changhua and Penghu on the west coast of Taiwan.
Water depths are appropriate for both fixed bottom and floating offshore wind technology.
The projects provide a long-term pipeline for Iberdrola to establish itself in Taiwan and commit to a sustained operation in country, it said.
Taiwan has a target to install an additional 9GW of offshore wind by 2031, and 15GW by 2035, and the government is currently in the process of finalising its next set of policy measures.
Iberdrola’s three development projects are primed for entry into the forthcoming “Zonal Development” auction rounds.
The potential for floating offshore wind offers significant opportunity for continued growth beyond the existing and planned fixed-bottom projects. Iberdrola is planning to evaluate both fixed and floating opportunities within the country.
Iberdrola will establish a project office in Taipei, as it undertakes development of these projects.
Iberdrola has worked with local consultants to select the project areas, refining the boundaries through assessment of data and stakeholder engagement.
Work will now continue to expand the stakeholder engagement effort and complete technical and environmental impact evaluations to ensure the projects continue to be developed with appropriate consideration of the local environment and communities.
Through the development of the projects in Taiwan, Iberdrola will work with the local supply chain and workforce to foster a long-term, sustainable offshore wind industry.
David Rowland, Iberdrola’s global offshore wind development director, said: “Taiwan’s ambition for significant growth in offshore wind means we have been monitoring the market closely for a number of years, and actively working to develop these new projects for over a year.
“It is a positive trend to see countries around the world are embracing the huge potential of offshore wind and looking to build quickly and at scale. It is good news for the climate crisis and for the economy.
“From the detailed studies we have already completed, and the knowledge we have built about the capabilities of the supply chain in Taiwan, we are enthusiastic about the potential of these new projects.”