Deutsche Windtechnik is to open a new business unit in Taiwan after winning a maintenance contract for WPD’s 640MW Yunlin offshore wind farm.
The deal covers technical, commercial and QHSE management. It also includes management and provision of logistics and foundation, transition piece and substation maintenance.
A team of 25 mainly Taiwanese technicians will be set up, with training provided in Taiwan and at Deutsche Windtechnik’s training centre in Europe.
The company said discussions are currently being held with Taiwanese universities to secure qualified personnel from the region.
Staff will include service technicians, HSE managers and administrators, as well as crew for a Taiwanese-built CTV.
Managing directors Carl Rasmus Richardsen, Hendrik Boschen and Jens Landwehr will lead the team from an office in Taipei.
WPD chief executive Achim Berge Olsen said: “We were able to win strong partners for the construction and operation of the Yunlin wind farm.
“We have been working together with Deutsche Windtechnik successfully at the German wind farm Butendiek and the Nordergründe wind farm for years, and together we have a real quality advantage in Taiwan.”
Richardsen said: “The fact that we are setting up a branch office in Taiwan is also an example of how the expertise we have gained in Germany and Europe is enabling us to accompany larger customers to countries where they want to continue to grow internationally.
“The trust that our customers are demonstrating through this is definitely a competitive advantage.”