Taipower: Offshore Wind Phase II Bidding Aligns with Market Costs, Continues Coordination for Project Completion

(Taipei, June 16 — Reporter Hsieh Yi-hsuan) The delisting of Senwei Energy has drawn attention to its subsidiary, Fuwei Energy, which won the contract for Taipower’s offshore wind Phase II project. Taipower stated that the bidding process was in line with market conditions, calling criticism labeling it a 'green energy alchemy' while simultaneously claiming the bid price was too low as logically inconsistent. Taipower will continue coordinating between Fuwei Energy and turbine system suppliers to ensure the project’s successful completion.

In a press release today, Taipower explained that the bidding benchmark for its offshore wind Phase II project was based on the per-unit offshore wind cost published by the competent authority in 2019, aligning with market conditions at the time, with no indication of underpricing. Subsequently, due to factors such as the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, the Public Construction Commission recommended adjustments, leading Taipower to add a price adjustment of NT$5.5 billion and implement a supervised payment mechanism.

Regarding the progress of the offshore wind Phase II project, Taipower emphasized that offshore wind construction involves more than just erecting turbines—it includes complex underwater works such as foundation piling and submarine cable laying. The project is currently 90% complete, with core components including onshore and offshore infrastructure already finished. This includes turbine foundation piles, substructures, onshore and offshore cables, offshore substations, electrical rooms, and the SCADA monitoring and data acquisition system, all of which have been designed, manufactured, and installed.

For the turbine components, key pre-assemblies—including 31 tower sections, mechanical and electrical equipment, nacelles, and blades—have been completed, with one turbine already installed. Remaining tasks include the lifting and installation of 30 turbines and partial inter-turbine submarine cable laying.

Taipower clarified that the contractor for the offshore wind Phase II project is Fuwei Energy, not Senwei Energy, and cautioned against conflating the performance of a single project with the parent company’s operations. Taipower will continue coordinating between Fuwei Energy and turbine system suppliers and discuss solutions to ensure the project’s smooth completion. (Edited by Yang Lan-hsuan) 1150616