Source: Republic of China Taiwan
Offshore wind farms aid in the development of marine ecosystems! Taipower is committed to constructing electrical sites that coexist with nature. In March, the Dajia River and Wanda Power Plants were certified as domestic terrestrial OECMs. Now, Taipower’s Phase 1 Offshore Wind Farm has been honored among Taiwan’s first batch of certified marine OECMs. An award ceremony was held today, (May 22). A Taipower representative expressed that the 21 turbines of the Phase 1 Offshore Wind Farm generate over 300 million kWh of green energy annually. The underwater foundations can also function as artificial reefs, which promotes the development of marine biodiversity. Taipower remains committed to balancing its mission to provide stable electricity with the goal of environmental conservation.
Today, the Ocean Affairs Council held the Presentation Ceremony for Taiwan’s First Recognized Marine OECMs at the NTUH International Convention Center. Taipower Chairman Tseng Wen-Sheng accepted the certificate of recognition from Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-Ling. Taipower’s Phase 1 Offshore Wind Farm was recognized alongside the undeveloped area of CPC Corporation’s Guantang LNG Terminal, and Taiwan Cement Corporation’s Hoping Industrial Port Corporation, becoming Taiwan’s first batch of marine OECMs.
A Taipower representative expressed that the Phase 1 Offshore Wind Farm is located off the coast of Fangyuan Township, Changhua County. It formally commenced operation at the end of 2021. The 21 turbines generate over 300 million kWh of green energy per year, meeting the energy needs of more than 70,000 households. Additionally, their underwater foundations function as artificial reefs. As barnacles, sponges, and other organisms attached themselves to the surface of the foundation, orange-spotted grouper, five-lined snapper, and other reef fish were attracted to live there, transforming what was once a sandy seabed into an ecologically diverse reef ecosystem.
A Taipower representative further expressed that according to the monitoring data collected by the National Taiwan Ocean University research team, in the waters of Phase 1 Offshore Wind Farm, the number of fish species has grown from 118 before construction to 171 today, increasing by nearly 50%. Additionally, the fish species inside the wind farm include many species that serve as potential prey for the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, indicating that the wind farm and surrounding waters exhibit ecological connectivity, thereby enhancing the ecological value of the dolphins’ habitat.
A Taipower representative pointed out that to ensure the long-term development of the ecology in the waters of the Phase 1 Offshore Wind Farm, Taipower regularly conducts offshore maintenance of both the turbines and the surrounding marine environment, and has also established an emergency response mechanism with the Coast Guard Administration to respond quickly to unexpected incidents. The Company also conducts underwater visual inspections to track and understands the ecology in the wind farm marine area. These monitoring results are published on the Taipower website on a quarterly basis. Taipower also actively engages in exchange and communication with local fishing communities by conducting information sessions and workshops, inviting local fishers to serve as cetacean observers, and encouraging local talents to work in the wind farm industry, joining hands with people from all walks of life to jointly protect the marine environment.
Spokesperson: Chief Administrator Huang Mei-Lien
Phone: (02) 2366-6271; 0922-696-383
E-mail: u030573@taipower.com.tw
Contact Person: Department of Environmental Protection Director Wu Cheng-Hung
Phone: (02) 2366-7200; 0927-291-156
E-mail: u015279@taipower.com.tw