Ørsted Achieves Landmark Energization of Greater Changhua 2b Onshore Substation in Taiwan

Ørsted today (15) announced the successful energization of the first onshore substation (OnSS) of the 920 MW Greater Changhua 2b and 4 offshore wind farms. The substation of Greater Changhua 2b has been connected to the Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) onshore substation in the Changhua Coastal Industrial Park.

The milestone signifies Taiwan's first offshore wind farm connected to the grid through a 345kV high-voltage system. Compared to the currently used 161kV system in Taiwan's offshore wind sector, this significantly enhances the stability and efficiency of electricity transmission and ensures adherence to the highest quality standards.

The achievement was made possible through the strong collaboration and support of the OnSS EPC contractor Taiwan Cogeneration Corporation (TCC) and execution by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Star Energy Corporation, alongside five Taiwanese suppliers and other local subcontractors.

Jayaram Naidu, Managing Director of the Greater Changhua offshore wind farms at Ørsted, states: "The successful energization represents Ørsted's engineering excellence and firm commitment to delivering clean energy efficiently, safely, and reliably. It also marks a new chapter for Taiwan's renewable energy journey by setting a benchmark for future offshore wind projects and showcasing Ørsted's innovation and support for local suppliers in adopting the latest technology and standards.”

More than 80 % of the EPC contract was delivered by Taiwanese suppliers and subcontractors, creating approximately 500 direct job opportunities. Safety is a foundational element of how Ørsted conducts business. Throughout the construction of the substation, the team achieved an impressive safety record of one million hours without a recordable incident.

The substation features several industry firsts and technical innovations:
• World's largest variable shunt reactor: Manufactured by Siemens Energy, this reactor has a rating of up to 320 MVAr – the largest of its kind globally, contributing to transmission efficiency and enhancing power supply quality.
• Precast concrete construction: The entire onshore substation was built using precast concrete elements, significantly reducing construction time while enhancing quality, safety, and environmental performance.
• Sustainable cooling system: The heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and cooling (HVAC) system uses dry cooling technology instead of traditional water-cooled systems. This would conserve approximately 30,000 tons of water annually and avoid thermal pollution of nearby water sources.
• Advanced environmental protections: A state-of-the-art oil and water separation system has been installed to effectively manage potential leaks, safeguarding the groundwater system.

The second onshore substation of Greater Changhua 2b offshore wind farms is expected to be energized by Q3 2025. Since commencing offshore construction in February, Ørsted has made remarkable progress, including the successful installation and black start of the offshore substation, and the installation of the first suction bucket jacket (SBJ) foundation.

With all 66 suction bucket jacket foundations now fully manufactured and certified, and cable laying progressing as planned, Ørsted is moving full steam ahead with the installation of foundations and wind turbines installation in line with the project schedule.

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