Formosa 2 Offshore Wind Farm

Overview

The Formosa 2 Offshore Wind Farm is a significant renewable energy infrastructure project located in the Taiwan Strait, specifically situated near the coastal region of Miaoli County, Taiwan. As a major component of Taiwan’s transition toward diversified energy sources, this facility represents a substantial investment in offshore wind technology. The wind farm is currently classified as operational, having been commissioned in 2023, marking a key milestone in the deployment of large-scale offshore wind capacity in the region. With an installed capacity of 376 MW, the Formosa 2 project contributes significantly to the local grid, helping to stabilize power supply and reduce reliance on traditional thermal generation sources.

The ownership and operational structure of the Formosa 2 Offshore Wind Farm is characterized by a strategic partnership between two prominent international energy and investment entities: JERA and the Macquarie Group. JERA, a major Japanese electric utility, and Macquarie Group, an Australian global investment management group, jointly operate the facility. This collaboration leverages JERA’s expertise in power generation and asset management alongside Macquarie’s strength in infrastructure investment and financial structuring. The joint venture model allows for the efficient allocation of capital and technical resources, ensuring the long-term viability and performance of the wind farm. The involvement of these global players underscores the international interest in Taiwan’s offshore wind potential and the strategic importance of the Formosa 2 project within the broader Asian energy landscape.

Located in the Taiwan Strait, the site benefits from consistent and strong wind resources, which are critical for the efficiency and output of offshore wind turbines. The proximity to Miaoli County places the farm within one of Taiwan’s most active offshore wind development zones, often referred to as the "Golden Wind Corridor." This geographic advantage allows for relatively short transmission lines to connect the generated electricity to the onshore grid, minimizing transmission losses. The operational status of the facility since 2023 indicates that the engineering, construction, and commissioning phases have been successfully completed, allowing for continuous power generation. The 376 MW capacity is a direct result of the specific turbine configurations and the spatial layout of the wind farm, optimized to maximize energy capture from the prevailing winds in the strait.

Why it matters

The Formosa 2 Offshore Wind Farm represents a pivotal milestone in Taiwan’s transition toward diversified energy sources, particularly within the rapidly expanding offshore wind sector. With an installed capacity of 376 MW, the facility stands as one of the most significant renewable energy projects in the region, underscoring Taiwan’s strategic shift away from heavy reliance on natural gas and coal. The project’s operational status, achieved in 2023, marks the successful culmination of extensive development efforts led by a consortium comprising JERA and the Macquarie Group, two major international players in the energy infrastructure landscape. This collaboration highlights the growing importance of foreign direct investment in Taiwan’s energy security strategy, bringing global expertise and capital to local resources.

A key metric of the Formosa 2 project’s impact is its ability to supply electricity to approximately 380,000 households. This figure illustrates the tangible contribution of offshore wind to the national grid, helping to stabilize supply and reduce the carbon footprint of residential consumption. Located near Miaoli County, the wind farm benefits from favorable wind conditions along Taiwan’s western coast, which has emerged as a prime corridor for offshore wind development. The project’s success reinforces the viability of large-scale offshore wind farms in the region, encouraging further investments and technological advancements in turbine efficiency and grid integration.

Regional Energy Context

In the broader context of the Asia-Pacific energy market, Formosa 2 serves as a benchmark for offshore wind projects in terms of scale and operational efficiency. Its commissioning in 2023 coincided with a period of accelerated renewable energy adoption across the region, driven by both policy incentives and market dynamics. The involvement of JERA, a major Japanese energy company, and Macquarie Group, a leading Australian investment firm, demonstrates the cross-border nature of modern energy infrastructure projects. This partnership model is increasingly common in Taiwan, where local developers often collaborate with international partners to mitigate financial and technical risks.

The project also contributes to Taiwan’s efforts to enhance energy security by diversifying its energy mix. Historically, Taiwan has relied heavily on imported fossil fuels, making its energy supply vulnerable to global price fluctuations and geopolitical tensions. By harnessing the wind resources off the coast of Miaoli County, Formosa 2 helps to reduce this dependency, providing a stable and locally sourced energy supply. The 376 MW capacity, while substantial, is part of a larger vision for Taiwan’s offshore wind potential, which aims to reach several gigawatts of installed capacity in the coming decades. Formosa 2 thus plays a critical role in laying the groundwork for this long-term energy transformation, demonstrating the technical and economic feasibility of large-scale offshore wind development in the region.

History and Development Timeline

The Formosa 2 Offshore Wind Farm project followed a structured development path leading to its operational status in Taiwan. The initiative reached a critical financial milestone in October 2019, marking the financial close that secured the necessary capital for the 376 MW installation. This phase established the framework for the partnership between JERA and Macquarie Group, the designated operators of the facility.

Construction activities commenced in 2020, initiating the physical deployment of the wind power station near Miaoli County. The build-out phase involved the installation of turbine units and subsea infrastructure required to integrate the 376 MW capacity into the local grid. The project progressed through these construction stages over the subsequent years, maintaining its trajectory toward a 2023 commissioning target.

Project Milestones

The project culminated in its official inauguration on May 16, 2023. This date marked the formal entry of the Formosa 2 Offshore Wind Farm into operational service. The completion of the 376 MW facility represents a significant addition to the wind energy infrastructure in the Miaoli County region. The timeline from financial close to inauguration spans approximately three and a half years, reflecting the execution speed of the offshore wind development.

What companies were involved in the construction?

The construction of the Formosa 2 Offshore Wind Farm involved a consortium of international engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors and specialized marine service providers. The project, which reached operational status in 2023, relied on a complex supply chain to deliver its 376 MW capacity near Miaoli County, Taiwan. The involvement of multiple firms reflects the segmented nature of offshore wind development, where responsibilities are often divided between turbine installation, subsea cabling, and foundation works.

EPC and Marine Contractors

Several major firms were engaged to execute the physical construction of the wind farm. Jan De Nul, a prominent Belgian offshore contractor, played a significant role in the project's marine operations. Their involvement typically encompasses the installation of turbine foundations and the transition pieces, leveraging their fleet of jack-up vessels. Seajacks International was also contracted, providing specialized offshore support vessels and marine logistics essential for maintaining workflow continuity during the installation phases. These marine service providers are critical for transporting heavy components from the onshore assembly areas to the offshore site.

The electrical infrastructure, which connects the individual turbine generators to the onshore grid, was handled by LS Cable & System. As a leading manufacturer of power cables, LS Cable & System supplied and installed the subsea export and inter-array cables. This component is vital for transmitting the generated electricity from the offshore turbines to the substation and subsequently to the Taiwan Power Company grid. The reliability of these subsea links is crucial for the long-term operational efficiency of the 376 MW facility.

Sembcorp Marine Offshore Platforms and Saipem were also key participants in the construction phase. Sembcorp Marine, known for its modular construction capabilities, likely contributed to the fabrication and installation of offshore platforms or substation structures. Saipem, an Italian multinational with extensive experience in offshore energy, provided engineering and construction services, potentially focusing on the subsea infrastructure or foundation works. The collaboration between these firms ensured that the technical specifications for the wind farm were met within the project's timeline.

Construction Vessels

The deployment of specialized vessels was necessary to handle the scale of the Formosa 2 project. Seaway 7, a large jack-up installation vessel, was utilized for the installation of turbine foundations and nacelles. This vessel's capacity and stability were suited for the offshore conditions near Miaoli County. The coordination between the EPC contractors and the vessel operators was essential to minimize downtime and ensure the safe installation of the wind turbines.

The collaborative effort of these companies enabled the successful commissioning of the Formosa 2 Offshore Wind Farm in 2023. The project stands as a significant milestone in Taiwan's offshore wind energy sector, demonstrating the capability to integrate international expertise for large-scale renewable energy infrastructure.

Technical Specifications and Architecture

The Formosa 2 Offshore Wind Farm is an operational wind power station with a total installed capacity of 376 MW, located near Miaoli County, Taiwan. The facility is operated by JERA and Macquarie Group and was commissioned in 2023. The wind farm consists of 47 generating units, each with a rated capacity of 8 MW. This configuration results in the total capacity of 376 MW for the entire installation.

Turbine Specifications

Each of the 47 turbines features a rotor diameter of 167 meters. The blades of these turbines measure 81.5 meters in length. The swept area for each turbine is 21900 m2. These technical specifications define the energy capture capabilities of the individual generating units within the wind farm.

Location and Layout

The wind farm is situated 9.5 km offshore from the coast of Miaoli County. This location places the turbines in the waters of the Taiwan Strait, utilizing the wind resources available in this specific offshore zone. The distance of 9.5 km from the shore influences the transmission infrastructure and maintenance logistics for the facility.

Operational Status

The Formosa 2 Offshore Wind Farm is currently operational. Since its commissioning in 2023, the facility has been contributing to the energy mix in Taiwan. The operational status reflects the completion of the construction phase and the integration of the 47 turbines into the local grid system.

How does Formosa 2 compare to other offshore wind farms?

Formosa 2 stands as a significant entry point in Taiwan’s offshore wind portfolio, with its 376 MW capacity placing it among the larger early-generation projects in the region. As an operational facility commissioned in 2023, it represents a mature phase of development compared to earlier pilot farms that often struggled with grid integration and supply chain volatility. The project is jointly operated by JERA and Macquarie Group, a combination that reflects the increasing involvement of international energy majors and financial institutions in the Taiwanese market. This operational model contrasts with some domestic-led projects where local conglomerates hold majority stakes, highlighting a trend toward diversified risk-sharing in offshore wind development.

Scale and Configuration Context

With a total installed capacity of 376 MW, Formosa 2 is larger than the initial demonstration farms such as the Guoxin Offshore Wind Farm, which had a capacity of approximately 300 MW. However, it is smaller than some of the mega-projects emerging in Europe and Asia, such as the Hornsea Two wind farm in the UK, which exceeds 1,200 MW, or the Dogger Bank project, which aims for over 11,000 MW. In the specific context of Taiwan, Formosa 2 is one of the largest single-site offshore wind farms, contributing substantially to the island’s target of 11 GW of offshore wind by 2030. Its location near Miaoli County places it in a prime wind corridor, where consistent wind speeds allow for higher capacity factors compared to inland or near-shore installations.

Technological and Market Positioning

The technical configuration of Formosa 2 reflects industry standards for mid-sized offshore projects, utilizing turbine technologies optimized for the specific wind regimes of the Taiwan Strait. While the exact turbine models are not specified in the primary grounding, the scale suggests the use of multi-megawatt turbines, likely in the 8–12 MW range, which are common for projects of this magnitude. This approach balances capital expenditure with energy yield, a critical consideration in the competitive tender processes that have shaped Taiwan’s offshore wind sector. The involvement of JERA, a major Japanese energy company, and Macquarie Group, a global infrastructure investor, underscores the project’s role as a benchmark for foreign direct investment in Taiwan’s renewable energy landscape.

Comparatively, Formosa 2’s operational status since 2023 positions it as a key data source for performance analysis in the region. Its early commissioning allows for the accumulation of operational data that can inform the design and financing of subsequent phases, such as Formosa 3 and 4, which are expected to expand the total capacity of the Formosa wind cluster. This phased development strategy is common in offshore wind, where initial projects serve as proof-of-concept for larger, more complex installations. Formosa 2 thus serves not only as a power generator but also as a strategic asset in the broader evolution of Taiwan’s offshore wind industry.

Infrastructure and Subsea Cables

The Formosa 2 Offshore Wind Farm relies on a robust subsea infrastructure network to transmit generated power from the turbine array to the onshore grid connection point. The electrical interconnection is anchored by a 130 km submarine cable system, a critical component for minimizing transmission losses over the distance from the offshore site near Miaoli County to the mainland (LS Cable & System). This extensive cabling solution was supplied by LS Cable & System, ensuring the reliable transfer of the facility's 376 MW capacity (LS Cable & System). The selection of high-voltage direct current or alternating current technology for this specific run is determined by the voltage levels and distance, with the 130 km length representing a significant engineering feat in Taiwan's offshore wind sector.

Foundation and Fabrication

Beyond the electrical interconnection, the physical stability of the wind turbines is ensured by jacket foundations, which are particularly suited for the water depths and seabed conditions of the Formosa 2 site. These steel structures provide the necessary support for the turbine towers and nacelles, transferring mechanical loads into the seabed. The fabrication of these critical jacket foundations was a collaborative effort involving major global engineering and construction firms. Sembcorp and Saipem were the primary entities responsible for fabricating these foundations (Sembcorp; Saipem). This partnership leveraged Sembcorp's regional expertise and Saipem's global engineering capabilities to deliver the structural components required for the farm's operational status.

The integration of these jacket foundations with the subsea cable infrastructure represents a coordinated engineering approach. The foundations must accommodate the entry points for the subsea export cables, ensuring that the electrical connections remain secure despite the dynamic movements of the offshore environment. The collaboration between JERA and Macquarie Group as operators ensures that these infrastructure elements—both the electrical cabling supplied by LS Cable & System and the structural foundations fabricated by Sembcorp and Saipem—are maintained to meet the performance standards required for the 376 MW plant commissioned in 2023 (JERA; Macquarie Group). This integrated infrastructure supports the long-term reliability of the wind farm in the waters off Miaoli County.

See also

• Nuclear Safety Commission (Taiwan)
• Waste heat recovery unit: Technology, types and applications
• Wind power in Ireland
• Foundations for offshore wind turbines
• Wind power by country: Global capacity and generation statistics