Dutch-based Van Oord announced it has been selected as a contractor for a large 640 MW offshore wind project in Taiwan, marking first steps to the Asian offshore wind market. The Yunlin offshore wind project, which has a contract value of approximately EUR 500 million, will be constructed eight km off the coast of the Yunlin prefecture and preparations start immediately.
The Yunlin project is being developed by the German project developer wpd. Van Oord is responsible for the design, manufacturing and installation of the eighty foundations.
In Asia, and especially in Taiwan, large investments are being made in offshore wind, with over 10 GW of projects currently under planning. The offshore wind strategy of Taiwan is driven by the desire to phase out nuclear energy. High wind speeds, manageable distances in terms of coastal and water depth and a progressive government policy make offshore wind an attractive energy alternative.
In particular, in 2015, the Taiwanese government designated areas for the construction of offshore parks for the first time in order to achieve the target of 5.5 GW from renewable energies by 2025. Of these, 500 MW are to be implemented between 2020 and 3 GW by 2021 to 2025. The rest will be allocated during a price tender later this year.
In 2017, the government initiated a selection procedure for potential projects. By 30th March 2018, projects with a volume of more than 10 GW have applied of which 3.5 GW have been awarded grid connection capacity now.
The Yunlin project is part of the Taiwanese government’s feed-in tariff (FIT) programme. This means that it is connected to the Taiwan network and allows a long-term power contract of 20 years. In 2020, about 350 MW must be connected to the grid, with the remaining part following in 2021.
At the start of 2020, the first foundations will be available for installation off Yunlin. The installation period will also take place in 2020. Monopiles, scour protection, transition pieces and turbines will be installed in succession.
