Taiwan debuts world’s largest floating solar plant

November 07, 2024

Ataipei-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. 
 
Offshore solar surge
 
The installation of solar and wind-based energy solutions is accelerating as nations seek to phase out fossil fuels. These technologies’ decreased power costs are encouraging, but their slower energy conversion rates are a drawback. 
 
Large areas of land are required for both solar and wind energy plants to generate enough power to make a changeover. The planet’s limited landmass is already being used for various things, including homes, agriculture, and the establishment of industries.

Wind farms have already moved to offshore platforms after realizing this, allowing them to install larger turbines and harness faster winds to produce more clean energy. Moving solar projects offshore is also long overdue.

In contrast, 71 percent of the planet’s surface area is covered with water, which presents an opportunity to build an energy-harvesting apparatus using abundant sunlight. Firms are keen to install offshore solar farms in areas it refers to as the Sun Belt.

These areas, such as the Caribbean, Japan, South Korea, and even Oman, are sun-rich but wind-scarce. With limited landmass, extensive energy infrastructure becomes too expensive in these areas. Still, the nearby waters are ideal for offshore solar.