Ørsted Completes Turbine Installation for 920‑MW Greater Changhua 2b and 4 Projects, Enhancing Taiwan’s Grid Stability and Renewable Portfolio
Ørsted has finished the installation of all 66 SG 14‑2 offshore wind turbines for its 920‑megawatt Greater Changhua 2b and 4 projects in Taiwan. The turbines, each rated at 14 MW, were installed over the course of the last week, marking a critical milestone in the company’s expansion across the Asia‑Pacific region. With offshore construction having begun in February 2025, the project is now anticipated to be fully operational by the third quarter of 2026. Power from the array has already been fed into the Taiwanese grid since July 2025, contributing to the country’s renewable energy targets.
Grid Stability Implications of Large Offshore Wind Integration
The integration of 920 MW of offshore wind into Taiwan’s transmission network introduces a series of technical considerations that are emblematic of contemporary power system dynamics:
Variability Management The SG 14‑2 turbines, while highly efficient, exhibit wind‑speed‑dependent output that necessitates robust forecasting and dynamic resource scheduling. Advanced wind‑farm control systems, including adaptive blade pitch control and real‑time power curtailment strategies, are essential to mitigate short‑term power swings that could otherwise destabilize voltage profiles on the high‑voltage (HV) backbone.
Reactive Power Support Offshore wind farms are inherently reactive‑power limited due to the absence of conventional synchronous condensers. Ørsted’s installation of static synchronous compensators (STATCOMs) at the offshore substation allows the farm to provide grid‑friendly reactive support, thereby maintaining voltage levels and improving overall system damping.
Harmonic Injection and Power Quality The digital power electronics employed in SG 14‑2 turbines can introduce harmonic currents into the grid. The project incorporates harmonic mitigation devices and adopts a harmonic filtering strategy compliant with IEEE 519 standards to preserve power quality for downstream industrial and residential loads.
Protection Coordination The 345‑kV transmission interface demands meticulous protection coordination, especially given the increased fault current contribution from the offshore source. Ørsted has employed adaptive protection schemes that can re‑configure relay settings based on real‑time fault current calculations, ensuring selective tripping and minimizing the impact on the wider network.
Renewable Integration Challenges and Infrastructure Investment
Taiwan’s National Grid Operator (TNP) has outlined a pathway to integrate the Greater Changhua portfolio without compromising reliability. The key challenges include:
Transmission Capacity The 345‑kV link between the offshore substation and mainland Taiwan must be reinforced to accommodate the additional 920 MW export capacity. This requires the construction of high‑capacity HV cables and reinforcement of existing substations to handle increased power flows.
Smart Grid Deployment Real‑time monitoring of the offshore wind farm’s performance necessitates an advanced SCADA system with sub‑second data granularity. Investment in fiber‑optic links and edge‑computing nodes is required to process data locally before relaying it to TNP’s central operations center.
Energy Storage Integration To smooth out the intermittency of wind generation, a utility‑scale battery energy storage system (BESS) is under consideration. Such storage would provide frequency regulation, spinning reserve, and peak shaving, enhancing grid resilience.
The projected infrastructure investment for the Greater Changhua projects exceeds US $1.2 billion, encompassing turbine procurement, foundations, cable laying, substations, and control systems. This capital outlay underscores the broader trend toward deepening grid modernization to accommodate higher shares of variable renewable resources.
Regulatory Frameworks and Rate Structures
The Taiwanese government’s 2025 Renewable Energy Act mandates a feed‑in tariff (FIT) for offshore wind that is tiered to encourage early deployment while ensuring long‑term economic viability. Ørsted’s contracts with TNP provide a guaranteed tariff of 8.5 ¢/kWh for the first five years, after which the price will adjust based on market conditions and cost reductions achieved through technological advancements.
The Act also stipulates that all renewable projects must deliver a minimum of 2 % of the country’s annual electricity demand, which positions Greater Changhua as a pivotal contributor to Taiwan’s 2030 net‑zero target. Moreover, the regulatory framework requires that new offshore wind farms undergo rigorous grid impact studies, ensuring that their integration does not exceed predefined voltage deviation limits.
Economic Impacts and Consumer Cost Implications
From an economic perspective, the successful commissioning of the Greater Changhua projects is projected to:
Reduce Import Dependency Taiwan imports a substantial portion of its fossil‑fuel‑based electricity. By adding 920 MW of domestic renewable generation, the country can reduce imports by an estimated 250 GWh annually, translating into a cost saving of approximately US $200 million per year.
Lower Wholesale Prices The additional generation capacity improves overall system supply adequacy, thereby exerting downward pressure on wholesale electricity prices. Historically, the introduction of large renewable projects in similar markets has led to a 1–3 ¢/kWh reduction in average system cost.
Stabilize Retail Rates While the initial capital costs of offshore wind are high, the operational expenses are low due to negligible fuel costs. Consequently, consumer electricity tariffs are expected to experience a marginal increase—estimated at 0.2 ¢/kWh—over the next decade, offset by the broader benefits of reduced fuel price volatility and environmental externalities.
Engineering Insights on Power System Dynamics
The Greater Changhua 2b and 4 projects exemplify several key engineering principles that underpin the successful transition to a high‑renewable power system:
Dynamic Load‑Flow Analysis Predictive load‑flow models that incorporate stochastic wind generation help operators anticipate voltage excursions and preemptively re‑allocate reactive support.
Coherency Analysis The large scale of the offshore wind farm necessitates an examination of coherency between synchronous generators and wind turbines. While the turbines do not contribute inertia, the overall system’s inertia is maintained through the use of synchronous condensers and in‑verter wind turbines that emulate inertial response.
Cyber‑Physical Security With increased digital control of wind farms, safeguarding against cyber threats becomes paramount. Ørsted’s implementation of secure communication protocols and intrusion detection systems aligns with NIST SP 800‑82 standards for industrial control system cybersecurity.
Resilience Planning The offshore wind farms are designed to withstand extreme weather events, with foundations engineered for wind loads exceeding 200 km/h and mooring systems capable of withstanding wave heights up to 6 m. This resilience is critical to maintaining continuous supply during Taiwan’s typhoon season.
Conclusion
Ørsted’s completion of turbine installation for the Greater Changhua 2b and 4 projects marks a significant stride toward a more resilient, renewable‑rich grid in Taiwan. By addressing the technical challenges of grid stability, integrating advanced power‑electronics controls, and aligning with robust regulatory frameworks, the project not only contributes to the country’s climate objectives but also delivers tangible economic benefits. The investment in infrastructure, coupled with strategic regulatory incentives, positions Taiwan as a leading example of how offshore wind can be harmoniously integrated into existing power systems while keeping consumer costs in check.
