Orsted has taken a final investment decision to build the 900MW Changhua 1 and 2a offshore wind farm in Taiwan.
The company said prior to the FID, Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs approved Orsted’s local supply chain plan, and subsequently Orsted has signed a power purchase agreement with Taipower at the feed-in-tariff level announced on 30 January 2019.
Changhua 1 and 2a will be located 35-50km off the coast of Changhua County.
It will be constructed in 2021 and 2022, Orsted said.
Orsted chief executive of offshore Martin Neubert said: “Over the last couple of months, we have been working intensively to obtain establishment permit, renegotiate contracts, get our supply chain plan approved and sign the power purchase agreement.
“Thanks to a close and strong collaboration with our supply chain partners, Taipower and decision-makers in Taiwan, we have achieved all these milestones and can now take the final investment decision on this landmark project, which will be Taiwan’s largest offshore wind farm and demonstrate offshore wind’s potential to decarbonise energy systems in Taiwan and the Asia-Pacific region.”
Orsted Asia-Pacific president Matthias Bausenwein said: “With the Changhua 1 and 2a offshore wind farm, which is the first under the localisation rules to take final investment decision, Orsted will invest significantly in Taiwan’s transition to renewable energy with substantial impact on local job creation and industrial development.
“We are proud that we have secured a very high level of local content on the project, and we will start the initial onshore works already next month.”
Siemens Gamesa is the preferred turbine supplier for the project to deliver 112 8.0-167 machines.
Orsted has contracted Taiwanese outfit Sing Da Marine Structure Corporation to supply 56 of the jacket foundations for the wind farm, while Formosa Heavy Industries and CSBC Corporation will supply pin piles for the foundations.
Taiwan Congeneration Corporation has an engineering, procurement and construction contract for two onshore substations for Changhua 1 and 2.