Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners has installed the first foundation at its 589MW Changfang and Xidao (CFXD) offshore wind complex in Taiwan.
Boskalis-HC Offshore partnership Bowei put the jacket in place at the weekend using the Bokalift 1 vessel.
A total of 62 three-legged jackets will be installed at the project, each with a height of 80 metres and an average weight of 1200 tonnes.
Century Steel is manufacturing jackets for the project. Its chairman Lai Wen-xiang said that the technical capability required for foundation fabrication is much higher than expected.
Century Steel has further invested nearly NT$12 billion to accelerate the construction of facilities in Taipei Port, as well as expanding its production lines at Century Guanyin Factory, Century Huaxin Taichung Factory, and Century Yunlin Factory, and cultivating local suppliers such as APEX Wind Power Equipment and Ta Chang Tsuo Industrials.
Despite “huge pressure of possible delays in the delivery of steel structures” the first foundation was delivered on a “punctual delivery” schedule.
Project chief executive Dennis Sanou pointed out that the successful installation of the first foundation by partner Bowei marks an important milestone for CFXD.
CFXD is funded by CIP, a group of 25 domestic and international banks and 7 international export credit agencies.
Sanou said it is important that the government acknowledge the difficulty and associated risk for local companies to manufacture foundations within the agreed timelines.
“CIP strongly supports the element of localisation provided delivery of components can be done within the agreed timelines, quality and health and safety standards. A transparent and active dialogue with the government is crucial for timely delivery for these large highly complex projects,” the company added.