Jan De Nul Installs Export Cables for Taiwan’s Fengmiao 1 Offshore Wind Farm

Why It Matters

The cable installation marks a critical milestone in Taiwan’s push to scale offshore wind, reinforcing the island’s renewable‑energy roadmap and creating a template for future Asian projects.

Key Takeaways

• Jan De Nul laid two 44‑45 km high‑voltage export cables offshore
• Cables are wet‑stored, pending trenching and substation jacket installation
• Fengmiao 1 will host 33 Vestas 15 MW turbines, 495 MW total
• Project slated for grid connection in 2027 via Taichung Zhongqing substation
• Installation uses CLV Willem de Vlamingh for laying, transport, trenching

Pulse Analysis

Taiwan’s offshore wind ambitions have accelerated in recent years, driven by a 2024 renewable‑energy target that aims for 5.5 GW of offshore capacity by 2030. Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) secured the Fengmiao 1 project as a flagship development, leveraging local shipyards and international turbine suppliers. Jan De Nul’s involvement underscores the growing reliance on European cable‑laying expertise, as the firm’s CLV Willem de Vlamingh brings proven deep‑water capabilities to the Taiwan Strait, a region known for complex seabed conditions.

The technical feat of installing two nearly 45‑kilometre export cables highlights the logistical choreography required for large‑scale offshore wind. After precise placement, the cables are wet‑stored—a strategy that protects them from damage while awaiting the offshore substation jacket. Subsequent trenching with the same vessel minimizes vessel movements and reduces environmental disturbance. This integrated approach not only shortens the construction timeline but also sets a benchmark for cost‑effective cable protection methods, a key concern for developers facing tight project economics.

From a market perspective, the progress at Fengmiao 1 signals confidence among investors and equipment manufacturers in Taiwan’s regulatory environment. The project’s 495 MW capacity, powered by Vestas 15 MW turbines, will feed into Taiwan Power Company’s Taichung Zhongqing substation, bolstering grid stability and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Successful execution could attract additional foreign capital, stimulate local supply chains—such as Century Wind Power’s jacket production—and accelerate the broader Asian offshore wind rollout, positioning Taiwan as a regional hub for renewable infrastructure.