Van Oord, a prominent Dutch marine contractor, has landed a significant project in Taiwan, cementing its reputation in offshore wind energy. The company has been tasked by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) to handle the installation of inter-array cables for the Fengmiao 1 offshore wind farm, a 500 MW project situated approximately 35 kilometers off the coast of Taichung in central Taiwan. Once operational, this wind farm will provide a steady supply of green electricity to Taiwanese businesses, marking another milestone in the nation’s renewable energy push.
For this project, Van Oord will manage the transport, installation, and burial of 33 inter-array cables, spanning a combined length of roughly 64 kilometers. The company plans to deploy its state-of-the-art cable-laying vessel Nexus and a remote-controlled trencher to ensure the cables are buried to the required depths beneath the seabed. Work on the inter-array cable installation is scheduled to commence in 2027, offering a glimpse into Taiwan’s long-term commitment to renewable energy infrastructure.
This isn’t Van Oord’s first foray into Taiwan’s offshore wind sector. The company has previously played a pivotal role in the Greater Changhua offshore wind farms, where it successfully installed both inter-array and export cables. With Taiwan’s government aiming for 5.7 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2025—and an additional 15 GW by 2035—Van Oord’s expertise is becoming a vital component in meeting these ambitious goals.
Bart van Schooten, Area Manager at Van Oord, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for contributing to Taiwan’s energy transition. “We are excited to extend on our strong track record in Taiwan with our involvement in the Fengmiao 1 offshore wind farm. We are eager to build on our established presence in the region, leveraging our cable-laying expertise and operational excellence. We are committed to supporting Taiwan’s energy transition and contributing to the country’s offshore wind ambitions, with more projects to follow.”
