The Greater Changhua 1 and 2a offshore wind farms are part of a series of wind farms currently under construction in Taiwan’s Changhua County. Greater Changhua 1 and 2a were inaugurated in April 2024, and now operationally form part of the largest wind farm in the Asia-Pacific region.
Reported April 3, 2024 – Taiwan’s renewable energy hits a pivotal stride as Greater Changhua 1 and 2a offshore wind farms bring all 111 Siemens Gamesa SG 8.0-167 DD wind turbines online. This marks a milestone, funneling the farms into Taiwan’s national grid. Spearheaded by Ørsted, a titan in offshore wind, the project paints a stirring picture of how offshore wind can propel the transition to sustainable renewable power globally.
In summer 2021, Ørsted started building the wind farms offshore, 35-50 km from Changhua County’s coast. They put in the first jacket foundation, a key early step. At that time, they also laid the first export cable. This allowed the wind power to connect to the grid. These were vital first moves for Taiwan’s big offshore wind project, the first of its kind.
Another key milestone was achieved when the first Siemens Gamesa SG 8.0-167DD turbine was set up in April 2022. This turbine started making power for the wind farm. More turbines were installed and turned on after that. By February 2024, the last turbine was put on its foundation. The project was almost ready to start working.
Rachel Chan, the Head of Communications in Taiwan for Ørsted, discussed a dedicated effort. The Ørsted team collaborated with contractors. Together, they advanced towards final tests on the wind turbines. Every aspect of the wind farm underwent checks. This push ensured the farm functioned well and contributed greatly to Taiwan’s energy grid.
Completion of the Greater Changhua 1 and 2a offshore wind farms
The Greater Changhua 1 and 2a projects had their completion planned for 2023. But delays happened due to supply chain issues and the timeline got pushed to 2024. Even with these problems, the team kept working hard and made smart plans. This showed Ørsted’s strong promise.
The Greater Changhua 1 wind farm has a capacity of 605 MW. Ørsted owns 50% of it. A consortium owns the other 50%. The consortium includes Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ). CDPQ is a global investment group. The consortium also includes Cathay PE, a Taiwanese private equity fund. In contrast, Ørsted solely owns the 295 MW Greater Changhua 2a wind farm. Together, these projects show how international and local groups work together. Their common goal is advancing sustainable energy.
Beyond the wind farms’ big capacities, they hold deeper value. These will be Taiwan’s initial jump into large offshore wind power from far out. This sets a pattern for future projects nearby and worldwide. It’s a major stride in Taiwan’s energy shift, lining up with global moves toward sustainability and renewables.
The offshore wind farms to reduce emissions
Ørsted’s role in the Greater Changhua 1 and 2a offshore wind farms aligns with their mission to champion wind energy globally. The project reduces emissions, stimulates the local economy through job creation, and drives renewable energy innovation. Ørsted’s strategy embraces offshore wind as a critical energy source. The wind farms contribute to a cleaner environment and economic growth. They also foster technological advancements for a sustainable future.
The Greater Changhua 1 and 2a offshore wind farms are now complete, and move towards creating a hopefully greener future for Taiwan. This means energy will come from wind, not carbon-dense sources. It is a big deal for Taiwan’s renewable journey, showing its commitment to sustainable solutions. Ørsted leads the way in switching to greener energy globally. With these turbines connected to the grid, they represent progress. A future where wind power becomes the norm is possible.
