LOC Renewables will undertake the study through its specialist naval architectural design and engineering team, Longitude Engineering. The agreement with Woen Jinn Harbor Engineering will see the Longitude team assess a cable lay barge for Woen Jinn and advise on the specifications and conversion work required to fit the barge for offshore wind operations.
Currently, Taiwan is aiming to develop 3 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030. The country benefits from significant natural wind resources and excellent conditions for offshore construction and local Taiwanese firms are increasingly looking to work with experienced offshore wind energy firms and benefit from the transfer of skills and knowledge from more established European markets. Late last year LOC Renewables signed a Memorandum of Understanding with four regional partners, outlining its intention to further offshore wind farm development and construction in Taiwan. This feasibility study will now see Longitude identify the cable lay barge specifications required for Taiwanese offshore wind farms, and advise on the upgrades required to meet these.
In addition to better quantifying the scope of conversion work required to prepare Woen Jinn’s flagship cable installation barge, the WJ#5, for the offshore wind market, Longitude will provide ongoing support during the barge’s operation life. Longitude is also working with Woen Jinn to determine its role as owners’ engineer, during the necessary design engineering to convert the cable lay barge to a fit-for-purpose vessel.
“We’re proud to be working alongside Woen Jinn on what is a long-term collaboration to enhance their cable-laying capabilities and build out the local supply chain” said Nicolas Cazeres, Managing Director at Longitude’s Singapore office.
Cheng Yu (Bruce) Lee, Director at Woen Jinn Harbor Engineering, added that the company played a key role in the completion of the country’s first offshore wind turbine in 2016 and that its co-operation with Longitude Engineering in barge design and related verification activities will allow the company to deliver a first-class local cable installation service in Taiwan as the country plans for the future development of offshore wind power.
Image: On the deck of LOC Renewables WJ#5 cable installation barge
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