These contracts include professional engineer stamps, frequency monitoring services for the Dual-Doppler Radar System, property management for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) base, Global Wind Organization (GWO) training services, and customised door locks for foundation transition pieces for both construction and O&M phases. Ørsted Taiwan is seeking outstanding local suppliers to support the construction of the 900 MW Greater Changhua 1 & 2a Offshore Wind Farms, and services for Ørsted’s O&M base located at the Port of Taichung from 2022 onwards.
Ørsted is dedicated to driving offshore wind localisation and supporting local small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) to tap into the offshore wind sector. Leveraging best practice from the Anholt Wind Farm in Denmark, Ørsted established the Wind Power Supply Chain Platform in Taiwan. The platform was handed over to MIRDC in August of this year for daily operations. It links the supply and demand sides of the offshore wind industry and provides one-stop matching services with an aim to expand participation by local suppliers, especially the small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) from central Taiwan, in the offshore wind industry.
Christy Wang, General Manager of Ørsted Taiwan, says: “The benefits created by the offshore wind industry are materialising in Taiwan. Ørsted is working with local suppliers in the 900 MW Greater Changhua 1 & 2a Offshore Wind Farms, where many of the construction services and components are provided by local companies. After the wind farms are constructed, we will need professional products, services, and daily necessities during the Operations and Maintenance phase for the next 25-plus years. Ørsted expects to expand our collaboration with more outstanding local suppliers and service providers to develop long-term business of offshore wind in Taiwan.”
Ren-Yi Lin, Chairman of the Board at MIRDC, remarks: “MIRDC is dedicated to driving offshore wind development in Taiwan through nurturing local suppliers. The Wind Power Supply Chain Platform integrates the expertise and resources of foreign and domestic offshore wind companies. Together with the MIRDC’s Maritime Technology Innovation Centre, we can support local SMEs, which have potential, to ramp up their capabilities and standards, as well as cultivate talent and support them to successfully tap into the offshore wind industry and become qualified suppliers.”
At today’s briefing event, MIRDC demonstrated the key features of the upgraded platform, including membership registration, steps to upload service demands and supply intention, as well as consultation services. The briefing session attracted more than 80 representatives from wind farm developers, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, as well as local interested SMEs. An additional one hundred participants joined virtually.
During the future O&M phase of offshore wind farms, there will be numerous needs for supplies and services, establishing a localised O&M supply chain. Such needs include engineering consulting and certification services, procurement of safety equipment, as well as other extended needs, such as catering, hotel services, property management, sanitation services, and transportation. SMEs from different sectors can use the platform to find suitable opportunities to join the offshore wind supply chain. For more information about the platform, please visit https://www.windsupply.org.tw/.
