Taiwanese Consortium Sets Sights on Offshore Wind

A consortium led by shipbuilder CSBC Corp. has launched a strategic alliance aimed at helping Taiwan reach 520MW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2020 and 3GW of installed capacity by 2025, the state-run Taiwan Today reports.

The public-private consortium includes government-backed enterprises and research bodies such as the Industrial Technology Research Institute, Taiwan Power Co. and China Steel Corp., as well as several local marine engineering companies.

“Wind power is an important link in the government’s green energy policy given its massive capacity potential,” CSBC Chairman Cheng Wen-lon was reported by Taiwan Today as saying during the launch ceremony.

“The consortium will help achieve this policy goal while boosting the economy through promoting investment and spurring the development of related sectors.”

The consortium will leverage each team member’s respective advantages and focus efforts on the planning, installation and maintenance of offshore wind turbines, in addition to providing training for engineering staff.

This latest initiative follows the creation of the Wind Team launched in September under the auspices of Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Industrial Development Bureau.

Led by state-backed CSC, the consortium focuses on the manufacture of wind turbines and related parts and components.

Additionally, state-run utility Taipower established its first construction unit specializing in offshore wind turbines on 7 October.

Taiwan plans to increase the ratio of electricity generated via renewable resources such as biomass, solar and wind from the current total of roughly 3 percent to 20 percent by 2025.