The story of Greater Changhua 1 and 2a began in 2018, when the Danish power company Ørsted was awarded the rights by the Taiwanese Government to develop the wind farms. The Greater Changhua 1, with a capacity of 605 MW, is co-owned by Ørsted and a consortium including Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) and the Taiwanese private equity fund Cathay PE, serving as a strong example of public-private partnership. On the other hand, the 295 MW Changhua 2a remains solely under Ørsted’s ambit.
“Since day one in Taiwan, Ørsted has been committed to developing, constructing, and operating offshore wind farms to create long-term value throughout the entire life cycle of the wind farm for the decades ahead,” said Christy Wang, Chair of Ørsted Taiwan.
The Greater Changhua 1 and 2a wind farms are more than just energy producers; they are catalysts for economic and environmental rejuvenation. With the capability to power one million households annually, they represent a significant reduction in carbon emissions — equivalent to removing 1.75 million tons of CO2 each year. The projects have also spurred economic growth, creating thousands of jobs and generating an estimated NTD 523 billion in economic value, significantly impacting local industries.
Ventures ahead
The launch of these wind farms marks just the beginning for Ørsted. The company is looking to expand its Greater Changhua wind zone by developing several more projects, including Greater Changhua 2b, 3, and 4. These additions are expected to produce about 2.4 GW of power in total. This move is a key part of Ørsted’s strategy to establish a strong portfolio of offshore wind sites.
Beyond Changhua, Ørsted is also making strides in obtaining the necessary environmental approvals for other promising projects, such as the Xu Feng project off the coast of Changhua County and the Wo Neng projects near Taichung. These efforts highlight Ørsted’s commitment to strengthening its presence in Taiwan and improving its competitive position in future energy tenders.
