President Tsai Ing-wen said Nov. 12 that the government is fast-tracking development of the local wind power industry as part of efforts to realize renewable targets and transform Taiwan into a green-energy homeland.
Offshore wind farm Formosa 1 is an outstanding achievement, Tsai said. It will play an important role in further promoting industrial upgrades and positioning Taiwan as a leader in Asia’s wind power market, she added.
Tsai made the remarks while attending the inauguration ceremony for the milestone facility in northern Taiwan’s Miaoli County.
According to Tsai, once Formosa 1 comes online at the end of November, its 22 turbines will produce an installed capacity of 128 megawatts, enough electricity for 128,000 households per year. This number is set to help Taiwan hit its offshore wind power goal of 5.7 gigawatts by 2025, she said.
The facility will be complemented by a smart grid utilizing artificial intelligence, fifth-generation technology and Internet of Things, Tsai said, adding that it is expected to enable high penetration of renewables while maintaining power supply stability and reliability.
Tsai said such measures will enable state-owned Taiwan Power Co. to deliver electricity in a more cost effective and efficient manner, as well as spurring related sectors to lift annual production value to NT$43 billion (US$1.4 billion) by 2025. This is projected to establish the country as a major link in the renewable energy supply chain and boost business opportunities for domestic energy vendors in the international market, she added.
Tsai said the government is not content to rest on its laurels. No stone will be left unturned in ensuring renewables account for 20 percent of Taiwan’s total power generation by 2025, she added.
Formosa 1 is developed by Taipei City-based JERA Energy Taiwan Co. Ltd., Nantou County-headquartered Swancor Holding Co. Ltd., Australia-headquartered Macquarie Group Ltd. and Denmark-based Orsted A/S. Construction of the facility, which commenced in 2013, was completed last month. (YCH-E)
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