TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s top stainless steel maker Walsin Lihwa plans to build the country’s first power cable production facility for offshore wind farms.

According to a company press release on Feb. 24, 2023, Walsin approved a NT$2.7 billion (US$82.8 million) investment into a joint venture with Danish cable producer NKT called Walsin Energy Cable System Co. Ltd (Walsin Cable).

The cooperation calls for establishing a Kaohsiung submarine cable plant to provide high-voltage cable for offshore wind farms. The company said it is expected to undergo trial runs by the end of 2025 and full production by 2027.

Walsin Energy COO Justin Wong said it is important to have a domestic supply of cables for Taiwan’s renewable transition, per Nikkei Asia. “The industry worldwide is seeing a shortage of cable supply as demand picks up so quickly for all the offshore wind farm construction driven by the global green energy push.”

Regarding the Kaohsiung plant, Wong said it could also serve as a foundation for meeting demand in the Asia-Pacific region over the next decade. The executive added other offshore wind farm developers, including Orsted, intend to invest in Taiwan in the coming years.

Established in 1966, Walsin Lihwa is a major player in Taiwan’s wire and stainless steel industries.