Teaming up to realise floating offshore wind potential

Both operators believe that ports have a crucial role to play in the development of offshore wind power and are keen to support the implementation of FLOW in Taiwan.

“This agreement with Taiwan International Ports Corporation represents an exciting new stage in our journey towards net zero, for which international collaboration is key,” said Henrik L. Pedersen, chief executive, ABP.

“Floating offshore wind presents huge opportunities to the UK, from becoming a global leader in green energy generation to creating significant jobs, prosperity and energy security.”

Endless possibilities

It’s a view echoed by Shu-hui Cheng, vice president of business, TIPC who said: “The third phase of offshore wind power development is about to unfold in Taiwan. With larger scale wind turbines, localisation policies, etc. There will be more demand for land and space in ports of Taiwan, and the demonstration plan of floating wind will also bring up more requirements and challenges.”

Enabling the clean energy transition is also a key focus for ABP and part of its ‘Ready for Tomorrow’ sustainability strategy launched February 2023, which sets out the port operator’s plans to achieve net zero by 2040.

Many of ABP’s ports are in close proximity to major British offshore windfarms and ABP offers services at its various ports to meet sector needs. For example, the Port of Hull hosts the Siemens Gamesa wind turbine blade factory, the Port of Grimsby hosts Europe’s largest offshore wind turbine operations and maintenance centre and the Ports of Lowestoft and Barrow also host significant O&M hubs.

ABP’s future plans in this area include a major floating offshore wind hub port at Port Talbot, with an investment of around GB£500 million to upgrade the site and provide investors, developers and manufacturers the confidence to invest further in more long-term projects.