Ørsted takes FID on 920-MW offshore wind complex in Taiwan

Ørsted A/S (CPH:ORSTED) today announced a final investment decision (FID) to proceed with building a 920-MW offshore wind complex in Taiwan.

The Greater Changhua 2b and 4 offshore wind farms, located about 35-60 km (22-37 miles) off the Changhua coast, are expected to start onshore construction in 2023 and to be completed by the end of 2025.

Ørsted secured the 920-MW Greater Changhua 2b and 4 grid capacity in 2018 in Taiwan’s first competitive auction, which had no mandatory local content requirements. In 2020, it signed a corporate power purchase agreement (PPA) for the projects with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC).

The Danish clean energy major said it has achieved good visibility on the costs thanks to its network of regional and global supply chain relationships. It will fund the development with its own capital and debt from the domestic Taiwanese market guaranteed by the Ørsted A/S parent company.

Ørsted Taiwan general manager Christy Wang explained the developer has overcome challenges from site conditions, infrastructure, project engineering and procurement to bring the projects to a final investment decision. The projects will use environmentally friendly suction bucket jacket foundations for the first time in Asia Pacific, the manager added. They will support 14-MW turbines.

In Taiwan, Ørsted is currently building the 900-MW Greater Changhua 1 and 2a offshore wind farms, which are due to go fully online this year, and also has development projects. It is co-owner of the 128-MW Formosa project, Taiwan’s first commercial-scale offshore wind farm.

Last year, the company decided not to participate in the first round of Taiwan's Phase-3 auction process.

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