CDWE, a consortium consisting of DEME Offshore from Belgium and Taiwan's CSBC, has achieved a significant milestone by completing the installation of the first jacket at the Zhong Neng offshore wind farm in Taiwan. This project, situated off the western coast of Changhua, is set to contribute 300MW to Taiwan's renewable energy capacity.

The Zhong Neng Offshore Wind Project is co-owned by China Steel Corporation, the largest integrated steelmaker in Taiwan, and a renewable energy infrastructure fund managed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. Having reached financial close in December 2021, the project is on track to commence commercial operations in 2024.

For this pivotal installation, CDWE employed the "Green Jade," a DP3 heavy lift and installation vessel that was recently delivered. Notably, the "Green Jade" is the first vessel of its kind to be constructed in Taiwan. This vessel was instrumental in installing the 1,100-tonne, 60-meter high jacket foundation using its impressive 4,000-tonne main crane.

The foundation was seamlessly integrated into the pin piles embedded in the seabed, a task previously accomplished by Deme's jack-up installation vessel, the 'Apollo.'

The versatility of the offshore installation vessel shines through as it is capable of transporting multiple jackets and foundation components for the new generation of wind turbines in a single shipment. With a length of 216.5 meters, the vessel can comfortably accommodate a crew of up to 160 people.

Promoting sustainability, the 'Green Jade' is equipped with dual-fuel engines, and it boasts a Green Passport and Clean Design notation, aligning with the industry's emphasis on eco-friendly operations.

This accomplishment marks a significant step forward in Taiwan's journey towards bolstering its renewable energy infrastructure and reducing its carbon footprint.