cnYES Journalist Hu, Yi-wen /Taipei

Domestic wind power is about to move on to the next new milestone! In the morning of October 28, Bureau of Energy (MOEA) has held an official signing ceremony of "Offshore Wind Power Demonstration Incentive Program", which was collectively signed by Deputy Minister Woody Duh of Ministry of Economic Affairs and 2 other private business operators of the program (representatives from the preparatory offices of Fuhai Wind Farm Corporation and Formosa Wind Farm Corporation). First initiated by SWANCOR (4733-TW), Formosa Wind Power Corporation is expected to complete a total of 4-6 demonstration units by the end of 2015. By the end of 2030, more than 1000 continental wind turbines and offshore wind turbines would be established to generate a cumulative capacity of 3000MW, which would take up more than 33% of total capacity generated from all renewable energies.

ointly initiated by CSBC Corporation, Taiwan Generation Corporation and Century Iron & Steel Corporation (9958-TW), the preparatory office of Fuhai Wind Farm Corporation is expected to establish 30 wind turbines with a total capacity of 108MW at a location with 25~40 meters in water depth and 11 kilometers in distance away from the Fangyuan Township of Changhua County. Initiator to the preparatory office of Formosa Wind Farm Corporation, SWANCOR has devoted several years to the material supply of wind turbine blades and has become a major material supplier of wind turbine blade in the global market. It is estimated that a total of 30 wind turbines with a total capacity of 108MW would soon be established at a location 5~30 meters in water depth and 1~5 kilometers in distance away from Zhunan Township of Miaoli County. Together, the two business operators would each establish 2 offshore wind power systems with single unit capacity up to 3,000 kW by the end of 2015.

Deputy Minister Woody Duh of Ministry of Economic Affairs explained that the promotion of offshore wind power can be perceived from the two aspects of economy and environment. In terms of the economic aspect, a greater number of domestic wind power industries and financial industries would be devoted to the development of offshore wind power.

In addition to the financial investment of the wind farm developmental firms, the offshore wind farm project also requires the professional financing services from the financial institutions. Aside from that, equipment and maritime maintenance companies can also become a part of offshore wind power supply chain to increase output value, create green-collar job opportunities, and raise economic competitiveness in Taiwan.

Deputy Minister Woody Duh of Ministry of Economic of Affairs also emphasized that in terms of environmental aspect, the offshore wind farm is able to reduce total carbon dioxide emission. Since the offshore wind farm is more efficient in generating wind power than the continental wind farm, carbon dioxide reduction for every 1MW can be as high as 2,000 metric tons. It is estimated that since the offshore wind farm project yields a total capacity of 6,000MW in Taiwan, a total 12 million metric tons of carbon dioxide would be reduced once the offshore wind farm project is completed. With carbon reduction benefit ranking the top of all renewable energies, the offshore wind farm project will soon assist Taiwan in achieving the goal of carbon reduction.

Bureau of Energy, Ministry of Economic Affairs explained that it would fully assist with the smooth operation of demonstration incentive program to speed up the domestic wind power development. In the future, the regional developmental model with an installation of an additional 300MW offshore wind power capacity each year would be put into formal practices. Through the progressive approach, a total wind power capacity of 3,000MW would soon be accumulated by the end of 2030. With continental wind turbines and offshore wind turbines totaling 1,000 in number, the total power generated from the wind farm would soon surpass 33% of total power generated from all renewable energies.

Wind power is expected to become one of the major energy sources in the domestic market, introducing Taiwan to the new era of green power and gradually achieving the ultimate goal of a non-nuclear homeland.