The first phase of Orsted’s Greater Changhua 1 & 2a offshore wind farms is expected to wrap up in 2022. The good news is that these projects, which are Taiwan’s first offshore substations, have passed electric power distribution tests.
Offshore wind farm construction needs to take place in accordance with oceanic weather conditions. Hence, construction usually takes place from April to September, prior to the arrival of the northeast monsoon. Orsted indicates that its commissioning team has already continued to push forward with wind farm construction by seizing the rare climate window it is afforded while observing pandemic-related guidelines.
Orsted announced that its Greater Changhua 2a offshore wind farm passed offshore substation electric power distribution tests on December 11. It should be noted that, prior to their arrival in Taiwan, said offshore substations had already passed a series of stringent tests. The electric power distribution tests conducted this time also confirms that the electrical equipment maintained a good working status during the shipping process.
After completing cold commissioning, which refers to a series of tests done prior to offshore wind farm operations, the commissioning team continued to prepare for the test operations of onshore substations. Orsted indicates that it is confident in ensuring that the first large-scale offshore wind farm can be fully built by the end of 2022 while meeting all requirements with respect to timeliness, quality, and safety, thereby making substantial contributions to Taiwan’s energy transition efforts.
▲ The Floatel Triumph, which arrived on December 6, is a half-submerged offshore residential engineering boat with climate-controlled living spaces for a crew of 500.
A 60 m section of the Taichung-based Wharf #37, jointly built by the Taichung branch of the TIPC and Orsted, finished construction on September 30. Going forward, Orsted will acquire a 400 m section of Wharf #36, which it is currently renting, as an assembly site for the southeast, southeast, and northwest wind farms in its Greater Changhua project. This zone will also host two to three wind farm operator ships in order to increase efficiency.
(Image: Orsted Facebook)