Siemens Gamesa has awarded the first two contracts to Taiwanese companies to supply towers and materials for turbines to feature at a pair of offshore wind farms off the country’s coast.
A “newly-formed” partnership between CS Wind and local metal specialist Chin Fong will supply towers for German developer WPD’s 640MW Yunlin project.
The joint venture will use the latter’s existing facilities at Taichung Harbour to deliver the towers for the wind farm starting in 2021.
Some 80 8MW turbines are to feature at the project, to be installed in two phases.
“CS Wind is a strategic partner of Siemens Gamesa globally, delivering wind turbine towers to numerous projects around the globe,” said Siemens Gamesa Asia-Pacific offshore executive general manager Niels Steenberg.
“We strongly believe in the combination of their specialist knowledge with Chin Fong’s skills and strong local connection in Taiwan. Together, they have a great location to serve most of the Taiwanese offshore projects, doing so at an attractive price level with a fast start of production.”
CS Wind chairman Seong-Gon Gim said the company has “expanded aggressively to secure the pole position in the wind power tower industry”.
“We view this opportunity to capture a leading market share in Taiwan as key to becoming the global market leader together with our activities in the UK and Vietnam.”
Chin Fong chairman Eugene Chang meanwhile said the company is embarking on an expansion strategy from automotive work to renewable energy.
“We are proud to contribute to the Taiwan offshore industry as the leading wind power tower manufacturer, bringing jobs to Taichung Harbor,” he said.
“I am very pleased by the investment decision made by CS Wind and proactive approach of Simenes Gamesa to materialize this local tower manufacturing facility.”
Swancor has meanwhile been tapped to supply resin that will be used on blades of the 20 6MW machines that will feature at the second phase of the 120MW Formosa 1 project.
The deal comes on the back of “months of cooperation” between both companies along with a “trusted long-term partnership”, according to Siemens Gamesa.
The German-Spanish manufacturer’s offshore chief executive Andreas Nauen siad: “Signing our first firm purchase order for local turbine components in Taiwan is a watershed moment for Siemens Gamesa.
“We’re proud to do so with our long-term partner and industry pioneer Swancor, moving the Taiwanese offshore wind supply chain forward together.”
He added: “We’re furthermore looking forward to expanding our collaboration with Swancor in making Taiwan an offshore wind center in Asia-Pacific.
Swancor chairman Robert Tsai said: “We are pleased to be selected by the world leader in offshore wind Siemens Gamesa, a trusted partner of Swancor.
“We would like to express our gratitude to Siemens Gamesa for assisting Swancor in becoming part of their global supply base, and eager to strengthening our cooperation, both in Taiwan and globally.”