CAPE Holland Lands Key Contract for Taiwan's 500MW Fengmiao Offshore Wind Project

TAIPEI — In a significant move for Taiwan's renewable energy expansion, Dutch offshore wind specialist CAPE Holland has been awarded a major contract by CDWE for the upcoming Fengmiao Offshore Wind Farm. The deal centers on the supply and operation of the company's advanced CAPE VLT-640 Tandem Vibro Lifting Tool, a critical piece of equipment for installing the project's foundation and substation piles.

The Fengmiao project, situated approximately 36 kilometers off the coast of Taichung City in the Taiwan Strait, represents a formidable engineering challenge. Operating in water depths ranging from 53 to 64 meters, the site demands robust and reliable technology. CAPE Holland's tool is specifically designed to handle such complex subsea geology, mitigating risks like uncontrolled "pile run" during installation. The company's track record in the region, including the successful installation of over 400 jacket piles without incident, proved a decisive factor.

"The successful application of the CAPE VLT on previous projects like Hai Long has proven its value in delivering safe, efficient, and cost-effective pile installation," said Frank Koopman, Managing Director of CAPE Holland. "It addresses key operational risks and environmental concerns. As part of the Venterra Group, we offer clients not just cutting-edge technology, but the assurance of world-class manufacturing and broader engineering support."

Upon completion, the Fengmiao Offshore Wind Farm will boast a capacity of 500 megawatts, powering hundreds of thousands of homes. The farm will feature 33 positions for wind turbine generators equipped with modern 15MW turbines. The scale of the infrastructure is immense: the offshore substation will rest on a four-legged jacket structure with skirt piles weighing up to 810 tonnes each, while the foundation piles for the turbines will weigh up to 585 tonnes.

This contract reinforces the position of CAPE Holland's parent company, Venterra Group, as a leading global partner to offshore wind developers. It also highlights the collaborative model of CDWE—a joint venture between CSBC, DEME Offshore, and CAPE Holland—which blends local Taiwanese maritime expertise with international technological innovation. This partnership is expected to streamline installation processes and facilitate the transfer of valuable experience to other DEME projects worldwide.

Industry Reaction:

"This is a textbook example of how specialized engineering solves real-world problems in offshore wind," commented David Chen, a renewable energy analyst based in Taipei. "CAPE Holland's proven technology de-risks a critical phase of construction, which is crucial for keeping large-scale projects like Fengmiao on schedule and budget."

"Another major contract going to a European firm," remarked Li Wei, a local environmental advocate, with a sharper tone. "While the technology is welcome, when will we see a deeper transfer of core IP and manufacturing to build Taiwan's own sustainable industrial capacity, rather than perpetual dependency? These projects must build more than just clean power; they must build local expertise."

"The depth and conditions at Fengmiao are pushing the boundaries for fixed-bottom foundations in the region," noted Emma Richardson, a project manager with experience in Asian offshore wind. "Deploying a tool with a flawless safety record here is not just a procurement choice; it's a necessity. This sets a strong precedent for future projects in similarly challenging sites."

This report is based on information originally published by Power Technology.

The information provided here is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as professional advice, and no representation or warranty is made as to its accuracy or completeness.