MHI Vestas brings transformer technology to Taiwan

MHI Vestas Offshore Wind has secured a purchase agreement with Hitachi ABB Power Grids which will bring offshore wind transformer technology to Taiwan.

Hitachi ABB Power Grids, in collaboration with Taiwan’s Shihlin Electric & Engineering Corporation (SEEC), will supply MHI Vestas with transformer technology which converts electricity to a higher, 66 kV voltage for long-range transmission to shore.

MHI Vestas will thus become the first turbine manufacturer to source transformer technology from within Taiwan, as Hitachi ABB Power Grids will supply transformers with key components from the SEEC facility in Hsinchu County.

The transformers will be used in MHI Vestas’ Changfang Phase 2, Xidao, and Zhong Neng projects.

“As offshore wind comes to Taiwan, so too does top-of-the-line technology transfer,” said Maida Zahirovic, MHI Vestas Taiwan Business Director.

“High voltage transformers are vital to ensuring that maximum electricity output reaches end consumers in Taiwan. The collaboration between Hitachi ABB Power Grids and SEEC means that world-class production is being set up locally for a critical component in the certified V174 platform.”

The first transformers are scheduled for delivery in 2022, according to Yang Tsun-Ching, Business Group Chief Operations Officer of SEEC.

“We are pleased to be working with MHI Vestas on delivering their V174 platform offshore Taiwan,” said Lisa Wen, Head of Taiwan at Hitachi ABB Power Grids.

“ABB has participated in Taiwan’s industrial development for the past 30 years, now we are excited to see new clean energy transition and we support Taiwan localization policy. It is a challenge to set up a manufacturing hub in a new market, but we are pleased to be working with SEEC and are hopeful of continued volume on the current technology platforms.”

The 589 MW Changfang and Xidao (CFXD) wind farm will be the first offshore wind project in Taiwan to feature MHI Vestas wind turbines with HV transformers delivered by Hitachi ABB Power Grids and SEEC, CFXD’s Chief Development Officer Marina Hsu said.

“We are proud to lead the establishment of a bankable, insurable and sustainable local wind turbine supply chain with MHI Vestas and committed Taiwanese suppliers,” Hsu said.

MHI Vestas has now contracts in place in Taiwan for the local supply of blades, transformers, blade materials, towers, switchgear, rotor hubs, hub plates, nacelle base frames, low voltage cabinets, UPS systems, and PCM assembly, with further local supply chain contracts planned for 2020.

At present, MHI Vestas is the only wind turbine manufacturer to procure blades, transformer, blade materials, switchgear, fasteners, and cables from within Taiwan.