Orsted is moving “full speed ahead” with the construction of the onshore works for the 900MW Greater Changhua 1&2a offshore wind complex off Taiwan.
The majority of the onshore civil works for the Greater Changhua onshore substations will be completed by the end of 2020.
The onshore substations will be ready to energise by the end of 2021.
The Danish developer is working with Star Energy Corporation (SEC), a wholly owned subsidiary of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor Taiwan Cogeneration Corporation, to carry out the works.
Orsted kicked off the construction work of the onshore substations and onshore transmission system for Greater Changhua 1&2a in November 2019.
Star Energy is constructing two onshore substations, cable corridors, and transition joint bays.
Orsted Taiwan general manager Christy Wang said: “Orsted strongly believes that seamless collaboration with local partners is one of the key success factors for excellence in project execution.
“In our partnership, both Orsted and SEC demonstrated our adaptiveness and flexibility.
“Through constant exchanges and learning from each other, we are able to successfully combine our global experience with local expertise to work on the onshore substations and onshore transmission system for the Greater Changhua offshore wind farms.
“Orsted is committed to supporting the development of local supply chains from day one and work with local companies to elevate their capability and QHSE practice to international standards, and potentially enter into the international supply chains in the future.”
Orsted said it continues to share its global best practice with Taiwanese partners, an example of which is the introduction of the ‘rehearsal of concept’ that occurs daily on site.
It enables Orsted and SEC to review progress and go through tasks and safety arrangements for the following day to ensure smooth and safe execution of the installation and construction works, the developer said.
Orsted also hosts archaeological experts on site during excavation works and controls air pollution and noise levels to comply with regulations and standards.
The onshore construction project has created approximately 800 job opportunities, both directly and indirectly, and has “benefited dozens of Taiwanese suppliers” for the substation components and services, including some from Changhua county.
SEC vice president Tom Cheng said: “This is our second offshore wind project. The scope and standards are very different from our previous work.
“The QHSE standards for offshore wind projects are much higher than other construction works in Taiwan.”