Orsted and Sing Da Marine Structure have today celebrated the completion of the first made-in-Taiwan transition piece mock-up.
The mock-up was fabricated by Sing Da Marine Structure, a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Steel Corporation, in Kaohsiung.
Orsted said the TP demonstrated that local suppliers are on track to prepare for delivery of jacket foundations for its 900MW Greater Changhua 1&2a projects.
Collaboration between Orsted and China Steel Corporation started in 2017, with the Danish company signing a contract with Sing Da Marine Structure to supply 56 jacket foundations in November 2018.
Sing Da Marine Structure is extending its manufacturing facilities in Sing Da Harbour in Kaohsiung and the new factory will be operational in the first quarter of 2020.
Around 20 local steel suppliers will work with the company to deliver the Orsted contract, which will create around 2000 jobs.
Orsted Asia Pacific president Matthias Bausenwein said: “We are pleased to see the completion of the first jacket foundation transition piece mock-up.
“The important milestone demonstrates the strong collaboration between Orsted and CSC/SDMS.
“The manufacturing of complicated jacket foundations requires superb technical capabilities.
“The construction of those over 1000 tons heavy foundations not only accelerates the upgrade of Kaohsiung’s steel manufacturing, but also drives investment in related industrial chains, increases employment and invigorates overall economic development all across Taiwan.
“Orsted will work seamlessly with local suppliers and stakeholders to continue upgrading the traditional steel industry, with the growth of offshore wind as main driving force.”
Orsted said it is supporting Sing Da Marine Structure on delivery of the jacket foundations with experts stationed in Kaohsiung at a dedicated office during the Greater Changhua 1&2a construction preparation phase.
It will also hire around 10 new staff locally over the next months to assist local production in meeting global standards.