Offshore wind in Taiwan is setting ambitious goals, targeting 10 gigawatts by 2030. Leading the way is the Greater Changhua 1 and 2a project, currently the largest wind farm in the country. Taiwan's journey began with the Formosa 1 project, with offshore wind developers like Ørsted and several other companies contributing to the sector's growth.

Taiwan's offshore wind industry reached new heights in 2023, surpassing all previous years with an installed capacity of 2.25 GW. This makes the country a leader in the Asia-Pacific region and one of the few nations worldwide to surpass the 2 GW milestone in offshore wind installations. The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) reported that this capacity comprises 283 wind turbines 200 kilometers from the shoreline. 

The MOEA highlighted offshore wind as crucial for Taiwan's energy transition, collaborating with developers and government agencies to track progress and overcome obstacles. For 2024, the goal is to install 314 to 374 turbines, aiming for a total capacity of 2.56 to 3.04 GW. The MOEA encourages foreign investment and partnerships with domestic enterprises to build a robust offshore wind supply chain. Let's explore the top 5 offshore wind projects in Taiwan. 

Top 5 Offshore Wind Farms in Taiwan Based on Capacity

Winds of September Floating Offshore Wind Farm

BlueFloat Energy is developing the Winds of September Offshore Wind Project off the coast of Hsinchu in Taiwan. The project, which is currently in the announced stage, aims to harness the strong winds in the Taiwan Strait using floating wind farm technology. This will contribute to Taiwan's goal of achieving net-zero emissions.

The project is 25 kilometers off the shore of Hsinchu Region and will cover a surface area of 125 square kilometers. With a total installed capacity of 1GW, the project will utilize floating wind turbines in water depths ranging from 64 to 96 meters. The project cost is estimated to be USD 1.080 Billion. 

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To collect wind, wave, and current data, BlueFloat Energy deployed a floating LiDAR system, the Akrocean WINDSEA Stage 2, in March 2023. This data will inform the project's design and assess wind resources. Additionally, K2 Management has been appointed as the Owner's Engineer for the Winds of September Offshore Wind Project.

Xu Feng 3 Offshore Wind Farm

The Xu Feng 3 Offshore Wind Power Plant is a project by Ørsted Taiwan Limited, planned for Changhua County, Taiwan. It is currently in the announced stage and will have a capacity of 750 MW upon completion. With an estimated project cost of USD 1.35 billion, it would be a significant investment in renewable energy.

The project was intended to compete in Taiwan's Round Three auctions for offshore wind farms. However, Ørsted did not participate in the first round of auctions in 2023. Ørsted's decision on future auctions will depend on their long-term plans for Taiwan's offshore wind market and any modifications to the auction regulations.

Xu Feng 2 Offshore Wind Farm

Xufeng No. 2 Offshore Wind Power Co., Ltd. is in the early planning stages for developing a 750 MW offshore wind farm in Yunlin, Taiwan. The project is owned by Ørsted Taiwan Limited (Woxu Energy) and aims to compete in Taiwan's Round 3 auctions, which seek to add 15 GW of new offshore wind capacity between 2026 and 2035. 

Read: Top Five Upcoming Offshore Wind Farm Power Projects in Australia

Xufeng No. 2 is also a candidate for Round 2 (Zonal Development) and Phase 3-2 auctions. The wind farm will feature grounded jacket foundations and at least 46 turbines, situated 50.3 kilometers offshore in the South China Sea. The project is estimated to cost around 1.35 billion USD.

Taichung Fengmiao Offshore Wind Farm

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) is building a 500-megawatt (MW) offshore wind development called the Feng Miao project. The project will be located approximately 35 kilometers off the coast of Taichung in central Taiwan and is expected to be commissioned by 2027. The project will have an estimated cost of USD 900 Million.

The wind farm's turbines will have a capacity between 9 MW and 20 MW, with the final number of turbines (between 90 and 187) depending on the chosen output. These turbines will be installed on top of three-legged or four-legged jacket foundations.

A consortium of Semco Maritime and PTSC Mechanical & Construction (PTSC M&C) will be building a 500-MW offshore substation for the project. CIP has also signed a preferred supply agreement with LS Cable to supply offshore and onshore cables for the wind farm.

Formosa 4 Offshore Wind Farm

Formosa 4 is a 495-megawatt offshore wind farm project in the pre-construction phase, with completion targeted for 2025. Synera Renewable Energy is developing this project, which is located off the coast of Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County, Taiwan. The nearest point to shore is approximately 20 kilometers away. The wind turbines will be secured using jacket foundations. The estimated project cost is USD 891 million.

Designed to generate enough green energy to power roughly 500,000 households, Formosa 4 will employ offshore and onshore substations with a capacity of 500 megawatts, which are expected to connect to TPC's Fangli substation. The project will feature between 30 and 35 turbines, each with a rated power output of 14 to 15 megawatts. These turbines will be strategically spaced to maximize wind capture, with a minimum separation of 750 meters perpendicular to the prevailing wind and 1,300 meters parallel.

Read: Top Ten Offshore Wind Farms in the World

The project developers proactively expanded the designated bird flight corridor from 1.5 kilometers to 2 kilometers before establishing official guidelines. This effort underscores their dedication to minimizing the environmental impact during the construction and operation phases.

Future Outlook of Offshore Wind Taiwan 

Offshore wind energy in Taiwan is set for a major production expansion in the coming years. By 2035, the government estimates that offshore wind farms will generate 77.3 TWh of electricity annually. This clean energy source is projected to significantly reduce carbon emissions, with an estimated annual reduction of 38.8 million tons by 2035.

The development of offshore wind farms will also create substantial economic opportunities. The total investment in the sector, both domestic and foreign, is expected to reach a significant NTD 3.2 trillion (approximately EUR 99.2 billion) by 2035. Taiwan's offshore wind industry is estimated to generate over 74,000 jobs by the same year.

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The Taiwanese government has a clear plan for this expansion. Between 2026 and 2035, they aim to achieve a total installed capacity of 15 GW, with a steady increase of 1.5 GW per year. This ambitious target will be achieved in two stages.

The first stage, from 2026 to 2031, will see the release of 9 GW of capacity. This will be divided into three bidding rounds, each round allocating 3 GW. From 2032 to 2035, the second stage will focus on the remaining 6 GW of capacity. The specific allocation for this stage will depend on the progress made in the first stage and advancements in offshore wind turbine technology.

The government is also committed to adapting its approach based on the results of each bidding round. This ensures flexibility and allows them to incorporate the latest advancements in the field. Overall, the future of offshore wind farms in Taiwan is incredibly bright. With significant investment, job creation, and environmental benefits on the horizon, Taiwan is becoming a leader in this clean energy sector.

Here are the names of the other top offshore wind farms in Taiwan:

• Zhu Ting Offshore Floating Wind Power Plant
• Xu Feng 1 Offshore Wind Power Plant
• Feng You Offshore Wind Power Plant
• Formosa 3 Offshore Wind Power Plant
• Greater Changhua 1 Offshore Wind Power Plant
• Greater Changhua 2a Offshore Wind Power Plant
• Fuhai Offshore Wind Power Plant
• Chu Tin Offshore Wind Power Plant

Conclusion

Taiwan is advancing its offshore wind power capabilities, positioning itself as a global leader in the Asia-Pacific region. With a remarkable 2.25 GW of offshore wind capacity completed by 2023, the country is set to expand further with ambitious goals for 2024 and beyond. The top 5 offshore wind projects exemplify the nation's commitment to clean energy and sustainability, including the Hsinchu Winds of September, Xu Feng 2 and 3, Taichung Fengmiao, and Formosa 4. With substantial investments and a clear government strategy, Taiwan is on track to significantly reduce carbon emissions, create thousands of jobs, and foster economic growth, solidifying its role as a global offshore wind industry pioneer.

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