Photo Source: Shimizu Corporation
Major Installation Milestone in Taiwan’s Offshore Wind Journey
The Hai Long 2A offshore wind farm off the coast of Taiwan has reached a significant milestone with the successful installation of its first wind turbine. The turbine—Siemens Gamesa’s SG 14-222 DD model—is one of the most advanced in the market today, boasting a 222-meter rotor diameter and a structure height that eclipses 230 meters. That’s about the same height as the iconic Shin Kong Life Tower in Taipei.
Photo Source: Shimizu Corporation
Installed by CSBC-DEME Wind Engineering (CDWE) using Shimizu Corporation’s turbine installation vessel Blue Wind, the towering machine now stands tall in the Taiwan Strait, marking the start of turbine deployment at one of Asia’s key offshore wind sites.
Breaking Down the Hai Long Offshore Project
This isn’t just one wind farm; it’s a large-scale endeavor. The Hai Long offshore wind development consists of two primary wind farms—Hai Long 2 and Hai Long 3—with a combined planned capacity exceeding 1 GW. Hai Long 2 itself is split into two smaller farms: Hai Long 2A (294 MW) and Hai Long 2B (224 MW).
The project is being driven by a joint venture between Northland Power, Mitsui & Co., and Gentari, pooling expertise from across the globe. Once fully operational, the entire Hai Long cluster is expected to contribute significantly to Taiwan’s goal of generating 15 GW of offshore wind energy by 2035.
The Big Machine: SG 14-222 DD
The SG 14-222 Direct Drive turbine is a serious piece of machinery. Designed for high-output offshore generation, this model produces up to 15 MW with Power Boost. Its blades sweep an area of 39,000 square meters—bigger than five football fields—capturing more wind and generating more electricity with fewer turbines. That efficiency translates directly into reduced installation costs and less seabed disruption.
At over 230 meters high, the structure is more than just a generator—it’s a feat of engineering that must withstand brutal ocean conditions. Standing it up isn’t as easy as planting a flag; it’s more like assembling a skyscraper in the middle of the sea.
CDWE Takes the Helm
CSBC-DEME Wind Engineering, a joint venture between Taiwan’s CSBC Corporation and Belgium’s DEME Group, is responsible for the transport and installation of foundations, turbines, and substations across the Hai Long 2 and 3 sites. The company used the Blue Wind, a purpose-built turbine installation vessel operated by Shimizu Corporation, for this phase of the project.
By handling both the foundations and turbines, CDWE is streamlining the entire marine logistics chain. Think of them as the general contractor of the offshore world—coordinating heavy lifts, ensuring precise placements, and making sure each component arrives on-site in perfect condition.
Timing and Logistics Under Pressure
Installing wind turbines offshore is a race against the clock. Weather windows are tight, sea states are unpredictable, and every hour of downtime costs big money. That’s why vessels like the Blue Wind—designed for high-speed, heavy-duty offshore construction—are critical to maintaining project timelines.
Add to that the logistical ballet of coordinating transport vessels, tugs, heavy-lift cranes, and onshore staging areas, and you’ve got a complex, high-stakes operation. So far, so good for Hai Long 2A.
What’s Next for Hai Long?
With the first turbine now installed, Hai Long 2A enters the full turbine installation phase. Once complete, the site’s 294 MW capacity will help power tens of thousands of homes and feed clean energy into Taiwan’s grid. The development of Hai Long 2B and Hai Long 3 will follow, further building out the country’s offshore wind footprint.
The Hai Long project represents more than energy; it’s a signal that Taiwan is investing heavily in its offshore capabilities and making room for international collaboration in an increasingly competitive energy market.
