Offshore wind power consortium kicks off in Kaohsiung

2016/11/14

A strategic alliance focusing on marine engineering for offshore wind power generation was launched Nov. 9 in southern Taiwan’s Kaohsiung City, marking a significant advancement in public-private collaboration aimed at boosting the nation’s green energy development.

Led by shipbuilder CSBC Corp. under the auspices of the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Bureau of Energy, the alliance’s Marine Team includes government-backed enterprises and research bodies such as the Industrial Technology Research Institute, Taiwan Power Co. and China Steel Corp., as well as several local marine engineering heavyweights.

“Wind power is an important link in the government’s green energy policy given its massive capacity potential,” CSBC Chairman Cheng Wen-lon said during the launch ceremony. “The consortium will help achieve this policy goal while boosting the economy through promoting investment and spurring the development of related sectors.”

Offshore facilities are far more complex to build and maintain than the terrestrial variety, requiring expertise in advanced marine engineering capabilities, Cheng said. While marine engineering is still in its early stages in Taiwan, Cheng said given the exceptional experiences and technical capabilities of local firms in related sectors, the alliance will bring synergy through collaboration.

The consortium will leverage each team member’s respective advantages and focus efforts on the planning, installation and maintenance of offshore wind turbines, in addition to providing training for engineering staff. The goal is to help install offshore capacity of 520 megawatts by 2020 and expand the facilities to generate 3,000 MW by 2025, he added.

According to the BOE, the Taiwan Strait boasts some of the world’s best offshore wind power resources. This latest initiative follows the creation of the Wind Team launched in September under the auspices of the MOEA’s Industrial Development Bureau.

Led by state-backed CSC, the consortium focuses on the manufacture of wind turbines and related parts and components. Additionally, state-run utility Taipower established its first construction unit Oct. 7 specializing in offshore wind turbines.

These programs are all part of the government’s efforts to transform Taiwan into a nuclear-free homeland and achieve energy independence in the long run. The administration’s target is to increase the ratio of electricity generated via renewable resources such as biomass, solar and wind from the current total of roughly 3 percent to 20 percent by 2025.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=249409&ctNode=2194&mp=9)