TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners said Wednesday the first underwater foundation pile at Fengmiao Offshore Wind Farm in Taichung has been installed, with other piling operations underway, CNA reported.
CIP, a global fund management company specializing in renewable energy infrastructure, said the Taichung wind farm is just one of its investments in Taiwan. The company also has offshore wind facilities near Hsinchu, Miaoli, and Changhua.
The Taichung wind farm is being built by Century Huaxin Wind Energy and CTCI Machinery. Located about 35 km offshore, it is planned to have 33 wind turbines with a total capacity of 500 MW. It is scheduled for completion next year, and its power will be sold to local semiconductor companies and telecom operators.
The company said it has commissioned CSBC-DEME Wind Engineering Co. to handle the transportation and installation of 99 underwater foundation piles for the project. It added the work is primarily being carried out by Green Jade, Taiwan’s first self-designed and built crane ship for offshore facility construction.
Mark Wainwright, CEO of the wind farm, said the project will work with local fishers to ensure maritime safety and monitor whales and dolphins during construction.
According to the Taiwan Cetacean Society, piling operations produce intense noise, which can cause hearing damage, behavioral changes, and even strandings in whales and dolphins. The group urged that turbine foundations be located at least 500 meters from dolphin habitats and recommended setting up a safety zone with sound monitors and trained marine mammal observers during piling.
Marina Hsu (許乃文), the company’s Asia-Pacific director, said wind power is a key part of the government’s renewable energy plans and vital for Taiwan’s industries to reduce carbon emissions. Taiwan has more than 400 offshore wind turbines, with a total grid-connected capacity of over 3 GW. The government aims to expand offshore wind capacity to 10.9 GW by 2030 and 18.4 GW by 2035.
Hsu added that — with the expansion of AI tech, data centers, and chip production — corporate demand for green electricity will continue rising. The company also plans to develop an additional wind farm in Taichung with a total capacity of 600 MW.
