Van Oord Takes the Plunge into Taiwan

Van Oord has received its first order from Taiwan. For the 640 MW Yunlin offshore wind project, which is being built eight kilometers off the coast of Yunlin Prefecture, Van Oord will be responsible for the planning, production and installation of the eighty foundations. The project has a contract value of approximately EUR 500 million and is part of the government's efforts to drive forward the energy transition.

So far, Taiwan has focused primarily on nuclear energy, but the conditions for offshore wind are excellent: high wind speeds, manageable distances to the coast and shallow water depth make offshore wind energy an attractive energy alternative.

"In Asia, and especially in Taiwan, large investments are being made in offshore wind. The Yunlin project is a great opportunity for Van Oord to show our expertise outside Europe. We look forward to working with our local partners to enable the energy transition of Taiwan," explains Pieter van Oord, CEO of the company.

The financial close is expected at the end of 2018 and the first foundations will be completed at the beginning of 2020. The installation phase will also take place in 2020. Monopiles, scour protection, adapters and turbines are installed one after the other.