Taiwan debuts world’s largest offshore solar plant to power 74,000 homes yearly
Hexa Renewables has deployed a 373MWac solar array in Changhua County, located on Taiwan’s western coast.
A Taipei-based renewable energy firm has commissioned the world’s largest offshore floating solar power plant.
Hexa Renewables has installed a 373MWac (megawatt alternating current) solar array project in Changhua County on the western coast of Taiwan.
The project builds on an earlier installation that was commissioned in 2020. The enhanced capacity will now supply energy to approximately 74,000 households in Taiwan.
“We are excited to announce that HEXA Renewables, backed by global infrastructure fund I Squared Capital, has teamed up with the Taiwanese government and completed the commissioning of the world’s largest offshore floating solar power plant,” said the firm in a post on X.
In March, Netherland-based firm SolarDuck unveiled an €8.4 million project to build a 5 MW offshore floating solar plant within the OranjeWind wind farm off the country’s coast, featuring modular, innovative technology.
Floating solar milestone
The project’s first stage, completed in 2020, included two plots with a total capacity of 181 MWac, developed by Chenya Energy, which was then part of HEXA’s investor, I Squared Capital.
Following Chenya Energy’s divestment later that year, Hexa continued with the project’s second stage in partnership with the Taiwanese government, adding 192 MWac of power generation.
According to the firm, the pioneering project covers four plots across 347 hectares, exemplifying the future of renewable energy innovation. Together, these stages brought the project to a total capacity of 373 MWac, establishing it as the world’s largest offshore floating solar installation.
In addition to its remarkable scope, the floating solar project significantly advances Taiwan’s decarbonization goals, which include reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 and 20 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2025.
About 74,000 households in Taiwan will receive renewable energy from this project, which offsets 136,000 CO2 emissions yearly.
“Built on expertise, innovation, and a commitment to sustainability, the project benefits the Taiwanese community by enhancing sustainable energy security while supporting global efforts in the fight against climate change,” said the firm, in a post on X.
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