MHI Vestas Offshore Wind Pens Sweeping Series of MOUs in Taiwan

Signalling a new era in the company’s global ambitions, MHI Vestas signed Memorandums of Understanding today with four prestigious Taiwanese companies: CSMC (towers), Tien Li (blade manufacturing), Swancor (composites/resins), and Formosa Plastics Corporation (materials for blade manufacturing). The agreements are the realisation of the company’s manufacturing strategy for the region and leverage the unparalleled experience in energy infrastructure of the Mitsubishi Group in Taiwan.

“The Taiwan offshore wind market has impressively put itself in a front-runner position in the region. Having the benefit of early selection of a portfolio of projects allows us to enter into these manufacturing agreements with great confidence. We are honoured to announce these partnerships today – partnerships that will spur the expansion of highly-skilled, local manufacturing jobs,” said MHI Vestas incoming CEO, Philippe Kavafyan. “In bringing our market-leading 9 MW turbine platform and a rich heritage of energy infrastructure experience through Mitsubishi Group, MHI Vestas is well positioned to be the market leader in Taiwan.”

Mitsubishi Corporation Taiwan Chairman & CEO, Mr. Koji Nemoto, said, “Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) has been actively operating in Taiwan since the 1940s, especially in the power business. MC has installed a number of power plants together with MHI for Taipower and other owners. At the same time, MC has been building a great relationship with MHI Vestas through the offshore wind business in Europe.”

Mr. Nemoto continued, “With this background, we highly welcome and fully support MHI Vestas for its market entry to the emerging offshore wind market in Taiwan and we are confident that they will greatly contribute to realising the energy transition in Taiwan.”

The four agreements signed today form a strong foundation of supplier partnerships for MHI Vestas, with more on the way.
MHI Vestas has signed China Steel Machinery Corporation (CSMC), an established leader in steel manufacturing, to provide towers for the 9 MW turbine platform on offer in Taiwan. The production will be based in Kaohsiung.

Formosa Plastics Corporation (FPC), one of the world’s largest chemical manufacturing companies, was signed by MHI Vestas to provide materials for blade manufacturing.

MHI Vestas has signed Swancor, a market-leading company in environmental protection and safety, to supply composites and resins for the blade manufacturing process.
Mr. Robert Tsai, Chairman of Swancor, said, “As the pioneer of Taiwanese offshore wind farm development, Swancor is not only providing the experience to support localisation but also cooperating with MHI Vestas on wind turbine blade materials, including infusion epoxy resin, bonding paste and carbon fibre plates. I believe that this cooperation with MHI Vestas will help Taiwanese local suppliers to enter the global supply chain and help advance Taiwan offshore wind development.”

Tien Li, an industrial leader in blade manufacturing, has been selected by MHI Vestas to handle production of the company’s turbine blades. The blades will be produced in Taichung. Tien Li President, Mr. Jonathan Lin, said, “In response to the government’s offshore policy, Tien Li Offshore Wind Technology Co., Ltd. (TLC) plans to set up a blade factory in Taichung Harbour to develop a local supply chain for offshore wind power in Taiwan. It is an honour to cooperate with MHI Vestas Offshore Wind. TLC will combine European technology and Taiwanese management to provide blades to MHI Vestas. TLC is confident in its ambition to become the third professional offshore blade company in the world.”

Boasting abundant wind resources and a growing appetite for renewable energy, the Taiwan offshore wind market has set a pioneering course, paving the way for large-scale sustainable energy and accelerating the market’s green energy transition.