Mitsui & Co. invests in Taiwanese offshore wind farm developer Yushan Energy Taiwan, Co.
On August 2, 2018, Mitsui & Co., Ltd. completed all necessary procedures to enter into a definitive agreement to acquire a 50% share of Yushan Energy Taiwan Co., from Singapore's Yushan Energy Co., a subsidiary of Enterprize Energy Group. Yushan Energy Taiwan Co. is currently developing an off-shore wind power plant in Taiwan, the company said in its press release.
Yushan Energy Taiwan, Co. holds a 40% stake in the Hai Long Offshore Wind development currently underway in Taiwan, alongside Canadian partner Northland Power Inc. Mitsui & Co. acquired a 20% interest in the project by acquiring a 50% stake of Yushan Energy Taiwan, and plans to develop, construct, and operate a 1044MW output offshore wind power plant 30-50km off Taiwan together with Northland Power Inc. and Yushan Energy Co. Once the final investment decision scheduled for after 2021 is made, commercial operations will launch by 2025, and all electricity generated from the plant is to be sold to Taiwan Power Company over a 20-year period.
Taiwan is aiming to increase its ratio of electricity generated from renewable energy to 20% by 2025. Plans are in place to introduce a total capacity of 5.5GW from offshore wind power generation; 3.8GW up until 2024, and an additional 1.7GW on or after 2025. As well as contributing to Taiwan's renewable energy introduction plans, this project will contribute to the development of related local industries.
As of March 2018, 16% of Mitsui & Co.'s 9.3GW total net generation capacity across power generation projects is renewable energy, and steps are being taken to further increase this ratio. Worldwide offshore wind power capacity is expected to increase about 3 times current levels by 2025, and Mitsui & Co. is considering developing projects in other locations as well as Taiwan.
