TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Ministry of Economic Affairs said Thursday that it will integrate canceled offshore wind projects into the next phase of development.
The ministry met with the Taiwan Offshore Wind Industry Association to outline selection criteria and incentives for awarded and expanding projects, per CNA.
Energy Administration Deputy Director-General Chen Chung-hsien (陳崇憲) said the terminated projects Hai Xia 1, Hai Xia 2, and Hai Ding 2 are now up for expansion, according to the ministry's press release. Chen added that expansion capacity may reach up to half of a developer’s awarded capacity.
The ministry said expansion capacity is determined after marine spatial planning and allocation, and that the expansion site must not overlap with an awarded one. Developers will then need to conduct an on-site inspection and submit environmental impact assessment reports.
On fines, the ministry said developers who fail to meet expected local and economic contributions or energy resilience standards are subject to a 20% penalty on the difference between the tentative and committed investment amounts. An additional 10% will be imposed for serious breaches such as project delays, per the Commercial Times.
According to ministry policy, awarded developers must provide a performance bond or guarantee to ensure project completion. Developers also cannot expand beyond their awarded capacity.
The ministry said contract revisions have been narrowed to penalties and performance guarantees, and a template will eventually be released. Chen said there is no exact timeline for the rollout.
The ministry also addressed developer concerns over grid conditions and capacity, energy trading, ministry and local government coordination, and future development and tender windows. The Energy Administration, Taipower, and other agencies will maintain communication with the association to monitor progress, per the Economic Daily News.
Taiwan ranks fifth globally in installed offshore wind capacity, and the government remains committed to transparency and inclusivity.
