The Port of Taichung has been identified as the optimal port to support offshore wind farm construction works in Taiwan, according to a review carried out by the Executive Yuan and the country’s Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) in coordination with relevant industry representatives.
Taiwan plans to put into operation 3GW of offshore wind capacity by 2025.
A large percentage of the offshore areas that are designated for potential wind farms by MOEA are located off Changhua County, just south of Taichung City. The large size of turbine structures and the significant space needed for assembly, coupled with the dangers and convenience requirements of offshore work, makes it imperative that related work be based at and supported primarily through nearby seaports, the government said.
The Port of Taichung is seen as having distinct advantages in terms of its close proximity to the proposed wind farm construction sites, its deep-water access, its ability to accommodate large commercial vessels, the availability of adequate yard and warehouse facilities, and the comprehensiveness of handling and operations facilities.
In related preparations, aside from performing the construction and upgrade work on heavy-cargo Wharves 5A, 5B, and 106 that will be necessary to effectively supply and support the wind farm roll-out, Taiwan International Ports Corporation, the operator of the port, has designated 100ha of land and new road construction for a national industrial park for the wind turbine components industry. This park, which will be completed at an estimated cost of TWD 2.8 billion (EUR 86.4 million), has been incorporated into the list of Executive Yuan national infrastructure projects.
Looking ahead, port authorities said they will continue meeting policy scheduling and other requirements and providing additional wharf and land space as needed in order to make the Port of Taichung a comprehensive center of support for Taiwan’s national wind farm expansion program.
Moreover, the Port of Taichung is seeking domestic and overseas businesses in the offshore wind turbine sector to set up operations at the port in hopes of creating a comprehensive components-supply cluster.