Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas Wind Systems and its Taiwanese partner Tien Li Offshore Wind Technology announced that they have successfully manufactured their 100th V174-9.5MW blade in Taiwan.
According to Vestas, all 100 blades, totaling more than 30 wind turbines, will be installed at the Changfang and Xidao Offshore Wind Farms in Taiwan developed by Danish investment firm Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP).
Vestas COO of the Asia Pacific region, Michael Balvers, pointed out that these blades were entirely manufactured in Taiwan. The blades are composed of key raw materials such as epoxy resin and carbon fiber produced locally, fulfilling Vestas' commitment to localize the production process and promote a green economy.
Balvers said he is looking forward to the production of the next 100 blades and will work more closely with Tien Li in the coming years to jointly promote Taiwan's sustainable vision.
To accelerate the localization of Taiwan's offshore wind power, Vestas has been ramping up blade production in Taiwan. Not only has Vestas hired more specialized workers, the 210,000-square-meter blade manufacturing plant at the Port of Taichung broke the previous world record for production time of V174-9.5MW blades.
Vestas GM of Taiwan, Alex Robertson, said he was pleased to see that the Changfang and Xidao Offshore Wind Farms were installing locally-made blades. He pointed out that the localized production of blades requires a large amount of capital investment, which relies on long-term and stable wind farm development, smooth financing, and the completion of grid connection, as well as the support of localization policies.
It is understood that blades were already transported from the factory to the port in first-quarter 2023.
Vestas and Tien Li have already begun planning the next stage of their cooperation, which is producing 115.5-meter V236-15MW blades. To meet the growing demand of Taiwan's offshore wind power industry, Vestas will expand its blade manufacturing plant and undergo a complete equipment transformation.
