Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy has received a firm order by Danish utility Orsted for the supply and service of offshore wind turbines for the Greater Changhua 1 & 2a projects off Taiwan with a combined capacity of 900MW.

Orsted in October had already named SGRE as preferred supplier of its Changhua projects.

The firm order encompasses the supply of the Asia Pacific variant of the OEM’s SG 8.0-167 DD turbines as well as a service agreement.

The offshore construction is expected to start in 2021.

“In becoming a firm order, Greater Changhua 1 & 2a serves to significantly strengthen Siemens Gamesa’s presence in Taiwan," said SGRE offshore chief executive Andreas Nauen.

"Our commitment to create a nacelle assembly facility - ahead of the local content requirement time frame as set by the Taiwanese government - demonstrates our belief in the market and its long-term potential.”

The firm order follows up on SGRE gaining preferred supplier status for another Taiwanese project last week, the 376MW Formosa 2 project by Swancor and Macquarie.

As part of the order, Siemens Gamesa will establish a nacelle assembly facility at Taichung Harbor. The facility is expected to be ready in 2021, exceeding the local content creation timeline as set by the Taiwanese government, the OEM said.

Wind turbine towers for the project will be supplied locally through the partnership between CS Wind and Chin Fong in Taiwan, meeting the official requirements for local content on wind turbine components.

The SG 8.0-167 DD offshore wind turbine variant for Asia-Pacific markets is tailored to meet local codes and standards regarding typhoons, seismic activities, 60 Hertz operation, as well as operation in high and low ambient temperatures, the manufacturer said.

"With this firm order in place, we are looking forward to start working on Greater Changhua 1 & 2a, as well as on the nacelle assembly facility, which will provide an option to future projects in Taiwan and other markets in the region," said Niels Steenberg, executive general manager of Siemens Gamesa Offshore for Asia-Pacific.

Matthias Bausenwein, president of Orsted Asia Pacific, added: “We have taken the final investment decision for the Greater Changhua 1 & 2a project and are now moving full speed ahead to meet the construction timelines so we can bring clean energy to the people of Taiwan on time.

"Today’s contract signing with Siemens Gamesa also demonstrates our strong commitment to localisation and our strong support for Taiwan to continue being a front-runner in building an offshore wind industry in Asia.”