Hitachi ABB Power Grids wins significant purchase agreement for offshore wind transformers
Hitachi ABB Power Grids’ WindSTAR transformers for offshore wind turbines will be delivered to major renewable projects in Taiwan.
Image source: Hitachi ABB
Taiwan: Hitachi ABB Power Grids’ WindSTAR transformers for offshore wind turbines will be delivered to major renewable projects in Taiwan.
Hitachi ABB Power Grids has signed a significant purchase agreement with the renowned wind turbine manufacturer, MHI Vestas Offshore Wind (MHI Vestas). The global technology pioneer will deliver its high performance WindSTAR transformers to MHI Vestas’ offshore wind projects in Taiwan.
The agreement represents a breakthrough for Hitachi ABB Power Grids’ entry into the offshore wind market in Taiwan. The business has established a local partnership to supply key components for the production of the specialist WindSTAR transformers.
The transformers will be used in the country’s fast-growing offshore wind electricity generation sector, which expects 5.5 GW of new offshore wind power by 2025. Just one GW of offshore wind has the potential to provide clean, renewable energy to 320,000 people, based on Taiwan’s electricity consumption per capita.
“Our partnership with MHI Vestas and local manufacturers in Taiwan is part of our goal of enabling a cleaner energy system that will significantly benefit local communities,” said Bruno Melles, Managing Director of the Transformers business unit in Hitachi ABB Power Grids. “Hitachi ABB Power Grids is committed to building global partnerships, which support our commitment to affordable and clean energy for all.”
“These high-voltage transformers are vital to ensuring that maximum electricity output reaches end consumers in Taiwan and to driving down the levelised cost of energy,” said Maida Zahirovic, MHI Vestas Taiwan Business Director. “The collaboration between Hitachi ABB Power Grids and their local suppliers, Shihlin Electric & Engineering Corporation means that localisation of key offshore wind technologies continues alongside world-class production of transformers. This purchase agreement is another key achievement for Taiwan’s local supply chain.”
Taiwan currently has 14 offshore wind projects under construction, in development or in planning. One of the first, which will be utilising the WindSTAR transformers, is the 589 MW Changfang and Xidao project, which is developed and owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. The windfarm will be in the Taiwan Strait – around 11 km off the coast of the Fangyuan Township in Changhua County, Central Taiwan.
Source: Hitachi ABB