Bureau of Energy (MOEA), Fuhai Wind Farm Corporation and Formosa Wind Farm Corporation agreed to initiate the financial service and industrial supply chain for offshore wind power construction project.

Bureau of Energy (MOEA), Fuhai Wind Farm Corporation and Formosa Wind Farm Corporation initiated the offshore wind power demonstration incentive program. 

SWANCOR Chairman Lai of Formosa Wind Farm Corporation and Deputy Minister Woody Duh of Ministry of Economic Affairs signed the contract today.

Joint Initiator of Fuhai Wind Farm Corporation and Deputy Minister Woody Duh of Ministry of Economic Affairs signed the contract (first one from the left). 

Chairman Lai, Shan-guei of Taiwan International Shipbuilding Corporation (second one from the left).

Chairman Lin, Shi-yu of Taiwan Generations Corporation (central), 

Deputy Minister Duh of Ministry of Economic Affairs (first one from the right), 

and CT Chairman Lai, Wen-xiang.

Reported by Su, Song-tao

Domestic wind power is about to move on to the next new milestone! In the morning of October 28, Bureau of Energy (MOEA) has held an official signing ceremony of "Offshore Wind Power Demonstration Incentive Program", which was collectively signed by Deputy Minister Woody Duh of Ministry of Economic Affairs and 2 private business operators of the program (representatives from the preparatory offices of Fuhai Wind Farm Corporation and Formosa Wind Farm Corporation). Together, Deputy Minister Woody Duh and the representatives from the 2 private business sectors have installed the wind turbine models onto the Taiwan Strait as drawn on the map, indicating the official activation of "Offshore Wind Power Demonstration Incentive Program" and that the wind power would soon extend from the Taiwan coastal line all the way to the open sea in the near future. It is estimated that by the end of 2015, the two businesses would each establish 2 offshore wind power systems with a capacity of more than 3MW (megawatts). It is also estimated that by the end of 2020, the two businesses would each establish 1 demonstrative offshore wind farm with a total capacity of 108MW (megawatts).

Serving as one of the initiators of the preparatory offices of Fuhai Wind Farm Corporation, Chairman Lin, Xin-yu of Taiwan Generations Corporation estimated that domestic output value worth a total of NT$500 billion would be generated from the 600 offshore wind turbines with a cumulative capacity of 3GW by the end of 2030, as targeted by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. By that time, a total 7.5 million carbon emission (which is equivalent to the carbon emission generated from a thermal power plant with a total capacity of 1GW) would be reduced to develop domestic green power industry and initiate another wave of domestic economic prosperity.

Serving as one of the initiators of the preparatory offices of Formosa Wind Farm Corporation, SWANCOR Chairman Cai, Chaoyang pointed out that offshore wind power was first promoted by the European countries. As early as the 1990s, European countries such as Denmark, Netherlands, and Sweden has initiated the trend by establishing small-scale demonstrative wind farms. After the 2000s, the UK has followed in and established an offshore wind farm with a total capacity of 33GW. Since the UK is surrounded by sea (which is similar to Taiwan), it can utilize the great marine resources it owns to develop offshore wind farm with the greatest capacity in the world.

In order to speed up the promotion of offshore wind power and build up the green energy economy, Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) has selected the preparatory offices of "Fuhai Wind Farm Corporation" and "Formosa Wind Farm Corporation" as qualified unit for the demonstration award on December 27, 2012, in accordance with the "Offshore Wind Power Demonstration Incentive Program". First jointly initiated by Taiwan Generations Corporation, Taiwan International Shipbuilding Corporation and Century Iron and Steel Industrial Corporation, the preparatory office of "Fuhai Wind Farm Corporation" is expected to establish a total of 30 wind turbines with a total capacity of 108 MW at a location 25~40 meters in water depth and 11 kilometers in distance away from the coastline of Fangyuan Township of Changhua County. Serving as an initiator of the preparatory office of Formosa Wind Farm Corporation, SWANCOR has devoted several years to the material supply of wind turbine blades and has become a major material supplier of wind turbine blade in the global market. It is estimated that a total of 30 wind turbines with total capacity of 108MW would soon be established at a location 5~30 meters in water depth and 1~5 kilometers in distance away from Zhunan Township of Miaoli County.

Deputy Minister Woody Duh of Ministry of Economic Affairs explained that the promotion of offshore wind power can be perceived from the two aspects of economy and environment. In terms of the economic aspect, a greater number of domestic wind power industries and financial industries would be devoted to the development of offshore wind power. In addition to the financial investment of the wind farm developmental firms, the offshore wind farm project also requires the professional financing services from the financial institutions. Aside from that, equipment and maritime maintenance companies can also become a part of offshore wind power supply chain to increase output value, create green-collar job opportunities, and raise economic competitiveness in Taiwan.

Deputy Minister Woody Duh of Ministry of Economic of Affairs also emphasized that in terms of environmental aspect, the offshore wind farm is able to reduce total carbon dioxide emission. Since the offshore wind farm is more efficient in generating wind power than the continental wind farm, carbon dioxide reduction for every 1MW can be as high as 2,000 metric tons. It is estimated that since the offshore wind farm project yields a total capacity of 6GW in Taiwan, a total 12 million metric tons of carbon dioxide would be reduced once the offshore wind farm project is completed. With carbon reduction benefit ranking the top of all renewable energies, the offshore wind farm project will soon assist Taiwan in achieving the goal of carbon reduction.

Bureau of Energy, Ministry of Economic Affairs explained that it would fully assist with the smooth operation of demonstration incentive program to speed up the domestic wind power development. In the future, the regional developmental model with an installation of an additional 300MW offshore wind power capacity each year would be put into formal practices. Through the progressive approach, a total wind power capacity of 3GW would soon be accumulated by the end of 2030. With continental wind turbines and offshore wind turbines totaling 1,000 in number, the total power generated from the wind farm would soon surpass 33% of total power generated from all renewable energies. Wind power is expected to become one of the major energy sources in the domestic market, introducing Taiwan to the new era of green power and gradually achieving the ultimate goal of a non-nuclear homeland. 

【CDNEWS】