On July 6, ITRI and UK’s ORE (Offshore Renewable Energy) Catapult signed an MOU regarding the exchange of offshore wind power technology and know-how between the UK and Taiwan. More specifically, the MOU is expected to innovate and overhaul Taiwan’s offshore wind power operational maintenance applications by leveraging the UK’s experience, hence delivering a more comprehensive ecosystem for the NT$30 billion domestic wind power operational maintenance market.
The proliferation of zero carbon emission goals worldwide has prompted enterprises to purchase green energy, thereby propelling the global demand for renewable energy. The implication for Taiwan is apparent, as it is likely to become one of the leading offshore wind energy markets in APAC given its unique advantages as a wind farm provider, and the understanding of Taiwan’s potential by the Bureau of Energy and the British Office in Taipei was what ultimately led to the collaboration between ITRI and ORE Catapult.
Energy research and consultancy Wood Mackenzie indicates that the global offshore wind power operational maintenance market will reach a revenue of NT$390.5 billion in 2028, with Taiwan accounting for NT$30.24 billion of this amount. By signing the MOU, Taiwan and the UK are proceeding with task force-empowered innovations in offshore wind power, with focuses on wind turbines, underwater cables, and electric utilities. By integrating innovative technologies in AI and big data, the partnership will automate, digitize, and smartize the operational maintenance of Taiwan’s offshore wind power industry. Furthermore, this will effectively cut energy costs and hopefully be implemented soon, thereby causing the industry to thrive.
British Representative to Taiwan John David Dennis indicates that the offshore wind power partnership between Britain and Taiwan has been proceeding at a breakneck pace in view of the fact that more than 30 British companies in the offshore wind power supply chain have already established offices in Taiwan in support of the domestic development of this industry. Dennis is glad that the partnership between Taiwan and Britain will be furthered by the signing of the aforementioned MOU. Part of this relationship-furthering includes not only increasing the production capacity of renewable energy in Taiwan, but also helping Taiwan reduce its overall carbon emission, via innovations stimulated by the research partnership in offshore wind power industry between the two parties.
According to Cheng-Wei Yu, director general of BOE, MOEA, one of Taiwan’s foremost priorities is the development of offshore wind power. Not only is the government developing policies in support of this industry, but it is also encouraging research from various academic and industrial parties in order to achieve the goal of energy transition and to make Taiwan the leader of offshore wind power in Asia. In light of Britain’s vast experience in offshore wind power and successful development of said industry, Yu is glad to see ITRI and ORE Catapult engage in this partnership and hopes to see the two sides strengthen their technological collaboration, while also looking forward to the fruits of the two parties’ labor.
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