A key offshore infrastructure milestone has been reached for the 920 MW Greater Changhua 2b and 4 offshore wind farms, with the successful installation of the offshore substation (OSS), announced by Ørsted just two hours ago.
From the first steel cut in July 2023 to final installation this week, the journey to deliver the OSS has seen collaboration across continents, tough seasonal weather, and tight logistical coordination. The OSS jacket foundation and topside were delivered and installed following a complex transport operation and heavy-lift execution.
The transport of major components was carried out using Boskalis vessels Mighty Servant 3 and Transshelf, which sailed the OSS jacket and topside from Singapore to Taiwan. Once on site, Heerema‘s Aegir vessel executed the installation offshore, completing the structure’s placement under tight timeframes and challenging conditions.
Offshore construction during this time of year often comes with weather-related risks, especially in the Taiwan Strait. Yet the installation was executed without major delays or incidents, which speaks volumes about the planning and execution standards maintained by Ørsted and its contractors.
The company also confirmed the first export cable section has been completed, a crucial part of linking the wind farms to Taiwan’s onshore power grid. At the same time, the vessel Wind Maker has arrived in Taiwan, ready to begin installation of the 66 suction bucket jacket foundations and wind turbines that will make up the full array.
The OSS itself serves as the electrical heart of the project, collecting power from the wind turbines and sending it onshore. Without it, the entire generation system remains disconnected. Its completion signals the project is shifting into high gear.
In a statement on the achievement, Ørsted credited its engineering teams, offshore crews, and contractors for maintaining the highest safety, environmental, and quality standards throughout. No names were quoted directly in the release, but the tone suggests internal pride at hitting this key stage.
This development matters because Greater Changhua 2b and 4 represent a significant chunk of Taiwan’s energy transition plan. Taiwan has committed to reach 20% renewable energy by 2025, and projects like this offshore wind farm are central to that strategy.
With the OSS in place and export cable works underway, the project now moves toward full-scale turbine installation. The next few months will be crucial as the suction bucket foundations and turbines are deployed and connected.
The coming phase of construction will test logistics, weather windows, and installation efficiency. But with heavy-lift vessels in position and foundation components ready, momentum appears to be on Ørsted’s side.
