Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) has started trial operation of its 109.2 MW Changhua Phase 1 offshore wind farm, after installing the 21 wind turbines and connecting the cables. …
The utility is currently carrying out cable and turbine testing to make any necessary adjustments, following which it will apply for a post-completion inspection and subsequently for a power generation licence. The project, 8 km off the west coast of Taiwan, has been constructed in a region where typhoons are very common. Each of the 5.2 MW wind turbine has been installed on a jacket foundation with a transition piece; anchored to the seabed using four steel pin piles, and equipped with downwind rotors. With installation of the last few turbines and cables completed and under testing, the project has now entered its final stages and is expected to be commissioned by end of 2021. The offshore wind farm is being developed by a consortium of Jan De Nul Group and Hitachi Limited. The former was responsible for the design, fabrication and installation of the foundations; the provision of the offshore vessel for the installation of the wind turbines, supply and installation of the cables offshore and onshore, as well as a substation upgrade. Hitachi was in charge of manufacturing, assembly, installation and other works related to the offshore wind turbines with downwind rotors. Post completion, the project will be jointly managed by the consortium over a period of five years.