For the acquisition, EnBW has partnered with Australian investor Macquarie Capital and Taiwanese project developer Swancor Renewable. Financial details about the transaction were not disclosed.

Initially, the partners will work in securing grid connection capacity for the three projects, which will be located off of the coast of Changhua region. 

As per the agreed division of responsibilities, EnBW will take a majority of the technology project development. On the other hand, Swancor Renewable will contribute its local network. As part of its responsibility, EnBW has already deployed its personnel to work in the joint team in Taiwan.

EnBW generation portfolio development head Dirk Güsewell said: “Over recent years, EnBW has accumulated valuable know-how in planning, developing, constructing and operating offshore wind farms. With 336MW in operation, 610MW in construction and a further 900MW planned, we are evolving into one of the leading offshore wind developers and operators.”

As per EnBW, it plans to make renewable energies as one the main pillars of its business by 2020. As part of its long-term growth plans, the company plans to invest over €5bn in the further expansion of renewables through to 2025. 

Taiwan aims to expand its renewable energy capacity, as the country has decided to phase out nuclear power by 2025. Nuclear energy accounts for about 40% of the country’s power generation. The country has a target of producing 5.5GW of offshore wind power by 2025.

Güsewell continued saying: “In moving into project development in Taiwan, we have opened the latest chapter in our offshore wind activities. The expertise that we have built up in the offshore wind sector in the last few years is in demand worldwide, and we want to export it.

“That is why we are also directing our sights at new international offshore wind markets that offer growth opportunities and an attractive economic environment, so that in a first step we can start by developing selected projects ready for construction.”

Image: EnBW’s Baltic 2 offshore wind farm. Photo: Courtesy EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG.