Van Oord has been designated as preferred contractor for a large 640MW offshore wind project in Taiwan. This Yunlin project has a contract value of approximately EUR500 million (US$600 million).
The Yunlin offshore wind project is being developed by the German project developer WPD. Van Oord is responsible for the design, manufacturing and installation of the eighty foundations. Preparations for the wind farm, which will be constructed eight kilometres off the coast of the Yunlin prefecture, start immediately.
The aim of the Taiwanese government is to install 5.5GW of offshore wind projects by 2025. The Yunlin project is part of the Taiwanese government's "feed-in tariff" (FIT) programme. This means that it is connected to the Taiwan network and allows a long-term power contract of 20 years.
In 2020, about 350MW must be connected to the grid, with the remaining part following in 2021.
According to Van Oord, at the start of 2020, the first foundations will be available for installation. The installation period will also take place in 2020. Monopiles, scour protection, transition pieces and turbines will be installed in succession.