Mott MacDonald is reviewing the design of the anchor bolt system on the second phase of the 128MW Formosa I offshore wind farm, located 3km off the coast of Miaoli County in north west Taiwan. The scheme is the country’s first commercial-scale offshore wind project.
The Taiwanese government is investing up to US$23 billion on onshore and offshore wind projects as it aims to increase its offshore wind market to 5.5GW by 2025. Formosa I is the most advanced offshore wind project in Taiwan and has been developed in two phases. Phase one, consisting of two turbines with a total generating power of 8MW, began commercial operation in April 2017. The second phase, which is due to become operational in 2020, will see the addition of 20 further turbines, bringing the total capacity up to 120MW.
Mott MacDonald will review the design of the project’s tower anchor bolt system which will hold down the turbine frames and provide construction supervision services. The consultancy was also involved in the first phase of Formosa I, providing technical, environmental and commercial due diligence.
Jim Chen, Mott MacDonald’s project director, said: “It’s fantastic to continue our involvement on Taiwan’s first commercial-scale offshore wind project. During the financing of Formosa I’s first phase we reviewed turbine technology, energy yield, project contracts and the operations and maintenance strategy to help financial close to be reached. In the commercial phase we undertook a feasibility study and reviewed the engineering design.”
“Taiwan’s strong winds and stable regulatory framework are helping it become one of the newest top wind energy players, especially in the Asia-Pacific market,” Jim added.