Wind

Taiwan in frame for huge 'two-headed' floating wind farm as Hexicon makes gigascale move

Swedish developer and technology pioneer links with long-time Taiwanese player for 1.3GW project that could use distinctive TwinWind platform

Hexicon's TwinWind platform.
Hexicon's TwinWind platform.Foto: Hexicon

Global floating wind pioneer Hexicon will advance a 1.3GW project off Taiwan after teaming up with EPC specialist IX Wind.

Hexicon – which is developing projects as well as its distinctive TwinWind twin-turbine platform – formed a joint venture with IX Wind, with plans to get the project in the water as soon as 2028. The partnership will provide “project management, consultancy and engineering services”.

Taiwan has so far focused on fixed-bottom projects in its offshore wind build-out that has set the pace in Asia outside China, but the island is seen as a key potential floating market too, and has unveiled plans for initial small-scale auctions devoted to the sector.

Fellow floating platform innovator BW Ideol has also earmarked Taiwan for growth through a partnership with local player Taiya Renewable Energy.
Hexicon is already active in other Asian markets including South Korea, where it is working with oil giant Shell on the 1.3GW MunmuBaram project. The Sweden-based company – one of the first movers in the floating wind sector since 2010 – is now active around the globe with its appropriately two-pronged strategy based around project development and TwinWind technology.

IX Wind CEO Eric Kamphues said the JV gives it “a strong partner in this emerging floating wind market” and added: “There may be opportunities to implement their patented TwinWind foundations in the future.”

IX Wind has been active in Taiwan since 2012 and helped deliver its first offshore wind project, said the partners.

(Copyright)

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Published 15 February 2023, 10:32Updated 15 February 2023, 16:16
TaiwanAsia-PacificHexicon