Taiwanese 376 Megawatt Formosa 2 Offshore Wind Farm Takes Step Closer To Construction

Offshore wind turbine manufacturer Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy announced this week that it had received a firm order for 47 of its 8 megawatt (MW) offshore wind turbines for the 376 MW Formosa 2 Offshore Wind Farm project off the coast of Taiwan.

A fortnight after the final turbines were installed at the 120 MW Formosa 1 Phase 2 offshore wind farm, Taiwan’s offshore wind plans received another boost after Macquarie’s Green Investment Group and Swancor Renewable Energy announced Siemens Gamesa as its wind turbine supplier for the 376 MW Formosa 2 Offshore Wind Farm project.

Specifically, Siemens Gamesa will install 47 of its SG 8.0-167 DD offshore wind turbines at the Formosa 2 project, with construction expected to begin next year. Situated close to its older brothers — the Formosa 1 Phases 1 and 2, which together amount to 128 MW — Formosa 2 will utilize larger turbines than its older sibling and boast a capacity of 376 MW, generating enough electricity to power the equivalent of 380,000 homes.

“We are pleased to announce a positive investment decision and that we are now ready to commence construction of the Formosa 2 offshore wind farm,” said Kimberly Cram, Project Director of Formosa 2. “Once completed the Formosa 2 offshore wind farm will generate enough green electricity to power 380,000 homes. The project represents a significant contribution to Taiwan’s renewable energy targets and we look forward to working closely with our local and international partners to ensure its successful completion.”

The news cements Taiwan’s position as an up-and-coming offshore wind giant — in competition with the United States as nascent offshore wind regions — and continues to bridge the gap between the country’s first offshore wind developments and the promised 5 gigawatts (GW) and more of offshore wind contracts awarded in 2018.