Siemens Gamesa has officially commenced production of the 14 MW wind turbines in Taichung new nacelle factory today (15th).
Siemens Gamesa's new Taichung nacelle factory expansion project has been completed at the end of 2023 and officially commenced production on August 15. The factory specializes in manufacturing the latest 14 MW offshore wind turbine nacelles for Taiwan's offshore wind farm industry. This production milestone marks Siemens Gamesa's commitment to Taiwan's offshore wind energy sector. The Taichung nacelle factory underwent renovations and expansions in 2022, upgrading its production line from the original SG 8.0-167 DD to the new SG 14-222 DD offshore wind turbine, increasing the capacity from 8 MW to 14 MW. It is projected that by the end of 2026, this facility will create 300 job opportunities.
Vinod Philip, Member of Executive Board of Siemens Energy AG, Vice President of Wind Power, highlighted during his first visit to the Asia-Pacific region since taking over Siemens Gamesa's wind energy business that more than 70% of the operational offshore wind turbines in the Taiwan Strait are supplied by Siemens Gamesa. The official launch of the new Taichung nacelle factory is a testament to Siemens Gamesa's commitment to the Asia-Pacific region.
Vinod Philip, MemberExecutive Board of Siemens Energy AG, Executive Vice President of Wind Power
The SG 14-222 DD direct-drive offshore wind turbine produced at the new Taichung nacelle factory is the first of its kind manufactured in Taiwan. This project is a collaborative investment involving Mitsui & Co., Hokuriku Electric Power, and Gentari, with a total wind farm capacity of 1,022 MW. The new turbine features a rotor diameter of 222 meters and a total height exceeding 240 meters. The Hai Long offshore wind project will be the first to utilize these new turbines, with installation scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2024 and completion expected by 2026, making it the largest wind farm in the Asia-Pacific region upon completion.
Niels Steenberg, Chairman and Managing Director of Siemens Gamesa's Offshore Wind Development in the Asia-Pacific region, stated that the official opening of the new Taichung nacelle factory is a significant milestone for both Siemens Gamesa and Taiwan's offshore wind energy industry. It demonstrates Siemens Gamesa's unwavering commitment to local manufacturing, technology transfer, and talent development. He emphasized that the Taichung nacelle factory lays a critical foundation for energy transition and positions Taiwan as a hub for offshore wind energy in the Asia-Pacific region. "We should think not just about 'localization' but also about ‘globalization’. With this new factory, we anticipate an annual production capacity of 2 GW, not only serving Taiwan but also targeting the Asia-Pacific market, including Japan and South Korea. The wind turbine industry, much like a jacket foundation, with three legs, requires a presence in at least three markets for stability. A local supply chain must also be capable of supporting at least three markets to establish a robust and stable wind turbine industry chain. We must challenge ourselves to build export-capable turbines and set new records," Steenberg remarked.
Niels Steenberg, Chairman and Managing Direcor of Siemens Gamesa's Offshore Wind Development in the Asia-Pacific region
Tim Kittelhake, CEO of the Hai Long project, noted that the launch of Siemens Gamesa's nacelle production line is a crucial milestone for the Hai Long project. With financing secured and the offshore engineering construction phase underway, several critical offshore tasks have been completed, including the installation of the offshore substation for the Hai Long 2 wind farm and the foundation installation for the Hai Long 3 wind farm, along with the completion of piling work for 36 turbine locations, totaling 108 foundation pin piles. The Hai Long project plans to commence turbine installation in the second quarter of next year, with the completion of the Hai Long 2 wind farm by the end of this year and the Hai Long 3 wind farm set to finish in 2026.
Starting in August, Siemens Gamesa (SGRE) began producing the new turbine models. To support this production, Siemens Gamesa has dispatched a professional team from Taiwan to Europe for technical training and provided on-the-job professional courses to ensure that production quality aligns with environmental and safety standards. With the launch of the Taichung nacelle factory, Siemens Gamesa will continue to support the Hai Long offshore wind project and the first phase of the third stage developers, steadily advancing the development of offshore wind energy in Taiwan and facilitating the energy transition.
