Sarens Supports CDWE in Taiwan’s Hai Long Offshore Wind Farm Project

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Sarens is actively contributing to the Hai Long Offshore Wind Farm project in Taiwan, working alongside CSBC-DEME Wind Engineering (CDWE) to marshal vital turbine foundation components. This collaboration, which kicked off in early 2024, marks a significant continuation of Sarens’ involvement in Taiwan’s renewable energy sector, following their work on the Formosa II offshore wind farm. The Hai Long project is set to install 73 wind turbines in the Taiwan Strait, each with a massive capacity of 14MW, making them the largest turbines ever installed in Taiwan. Once fully operational, these turbines will collectively generate 1GW of electricity.

For this ambitious project, Sarens is managing the movement and storage of 156 pin piles, which were fabricated in South Korea. These pin piles are received by Sarens’ Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) and stored in a marshalling yard before being transported to the quayside for installation. The heavy-lifting installation vessel, Green Jade, will then take over, lifting the components aboard for offshore deployment.

In addition to pin piles, Sarens is responsible for handling 52 three-legged jackets that serve as the wind turbine foundations. These jackets, weighing up to 2,400 tonnes each, are driven off vessels onto shore using a Roll-On/Roll-Off (RORO) system. Once stored, they are later returned to the quayside for lifting aboard Green Jade.

Given the immense size and weight of the components, Sarens had to carefully plan the logistics, ensuring the load-bearing capacity of the quayside was sufficient. Special load-spreading solutions, including steel I-beams and sand dunes for storage, were engineered to protect the port infrastructure and equipment.

The jackets, due to their three-legged design and substantial height—up to 95 meters—required a unique approach. Sarens developed a specialized handling frame to transport and position these structures. This frame ensures that each leg, spaced 32 meters apart, is safely lifted and placed without the need for additional jacks.

Sarens’ SPMT fleet is integral to this operation, with a 44-axle line configuration used for the pin piles and a 104-line setup for the jackets. Maneuvering these trailers requires precision, particularly as the pin piles must be lifted and transported through tight spaces, while the jackets are moved upright with their center of gravity nearly 40 meters above ground.

The operation is not without its challenges. Weather conditions, especially Taiwan’s monsoon season, pose significant risks to the project’s timeline. Sarens’ team must also contend with the seismic activity in the region, given Taiwan’s position along the Pacific Rim of Fire. However, with a dedicated team of engineers and operators working in 12-hour shifts, Sarens is confident in the successful execution of the project.

Sarens remains committed to supporting CDWE and ensuring that the Hai Long project progresses smoothly, aiming for completion in the second half of 2025. This collaboration reinforces Sarens’ reputation as a reliable partner in the global offshore wind industry.