Taipei, Taiwan
July 13, 2020

MHI Vestas Offshore Wind has reached agreements with local Taiwanese suppliers to source both cables and fasteners, becoming the only wind turbine manufacturer to source these components locally.

Deepening its commitments to Taiwan, MHI Vestas has become the only wind turbine manufacturer to source cables and fasteners locally, signing agreements with Walsin Lihwa Corporation for cables and Boltun Corporation (Boltun) for fasteners, respectively.

These agreements will see Walsin Lihwa Corporation and Boltun supply MHI Vestas for CIP-developed wind projects – Changfang Phase 2 and Xidao – to be delivered off the coast of Taiwan beginning in 2023.

The agreements with Walsin Lihwa Corporation and Boltun also cover the Zhong Neng project, where MHI Vestas has been named preferred turbine supplier. Changfang Phases 1 and 2, Xidao and Zhong Neng are the only four Taiwanese projects to have passed the government’s localisation review for projects allocated in Round 2.

Cables and fasteners are both key components of MHI Vestas’ cutting-edge V174 turbine, which is slated for first installation in Taiwan in 2022.

“We continue to prioritise the sustainable development of Taiwan’s local suppliers,” said MHI Vestas APAC Regional Manager, Masato Yamada. “As the only wind turbine manufacturer to be sourcing cables and fasteners from Taiwan, we are particularly pleased to be working alongside Walsin Lihwa Corporation and Boltun as they gain valuable experience and expertise in the offshore wind sector. We look forward to continue working with the government to deliver a competitive, regionally-capable Taiwanese offshore wind supply chain.”

Since its inception in 1966, Walsin Lihwa Corporation has produced power cables and wires for usage in a wide array of industries. As the offshore wind sector develops in Taiwan, early experience gained alongside MHI Vestas will enable Walsin Lihwa Corporation to potentially supply the broader Asia-Pacific region with cables.

“To progress and grow with the Taiwanese government’s green energy policy, Walsin Lihwa Corporation has been dedicated to developing wind turbine cables in recent years.” said Jin-Renn Leu, President of Walsin Lihwa Wire & Cable Business Group. “It is a pleasure to be the designated partner of MHI Vestas, and we will supply cables to their Taiwanese projects.  We hope to take this opportunity to work with the world-class wind turbine manufacturer and continue striving to be one of the top cable solution providers in the global market.”

Boltun is a well-regarded Taiwanese metal parts manufacturer that was established in 1988, headquartered in Tainan. Boltun will produce fasteners for MHI Vestas’ projects from its facility in Tainan, Taiwan, delivering valuable early learnings for the group’s expansion into the offshore wind sector.

“As the offshore wind sector will be a key part of Taiwan’s energy story, we are pleased to be working with MHI Vestas to deliver fasteners for their first projects in the country,” said Jason Chen, Sales Director of Boltun. “This early experience will be extremely valuable as we look towards the future and opportunities to export to the APAC region. We must secure our future with these early experiences, so consistency in technology is critical.”

Contracts have now been signed by MHI Vestas in Taiwan for local supply of blades, blade materials (bonding glue, resin, pultruded carbon plates), towers, switchgear, rotor hubs, hub plates and nacelle base frames, with more local supply chain contracts planned for 2020.

MHI Vestas is the only wind turbine manufacturer to procure blades, blade materials, switchgear, fasteners and cables from within Taiwan.

About MHI Vestas Offshore Wind
MHI Vestas Offshore Wind is a joint venture between Vestas Wind Systems A/S (50%) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (50%). The company’s focus is to design, manufacture, install and service wind turbines for the offshore wind industry. The company aims to create sustainable value through offshore wind power by driving capital and operating savings and increasing the power output of wind turbines. An innovative force in offshore wind since its inception in 2014, the company is guided by its founding principles of collaboration, trust, technology and commitment.

MHI Vestas Taiwan Supply Chain Progress

• 15 May 2018: MoU for generators with TECO/The Switch
• 30 October 2018: Conditional contract for tower supply with CS Wind/Chin Fong
• 24 March 2020: Purchase agreement for blade manufacturing with Tien Li Offshore Wind Technology Co., Ltd.
• 28 April 2020: Purchase agreement for blade materials (pultruded carbon plates, resin, and bonding glue) with Swancor
• 23 June 2020: Purchase agreement for high voltage switchgear with Mitsubishi Electric / Shihlin Electric and Engineering Corporation
• 30 June 2020: Purchase agreement for rotor hubs, hub plates and nacelle base frames with Yeong Guan Energy Technology Group
• 13 July 2020: Contracts for fasteners with Boltun Corporation and cables with Walsin Lihwa Corporation
• About Walsin Lihwa Corporation
• Walsin Lihwa Corporation, established in 1966, is not only the leading manufacturer of wire & cable, stainless steel, and commodity business in the Greater China region but also a leading real estate developer across the Taiwan Strait.

About Boltun Corporation
Established in 1988 in Taiwan, the name “BOLTUN” is a combination of “BOLT” and “NUT.” Boltun Corporation has followed the principle of “Reliable, Excellent and Innovative” since its establishment. By following this principle, Boltun has offered innovative and reliable products as well as warm and superior services to satisfy customers’ needs. The Boltun philosophy is to provide top quality products and genuinely “professional“ services to the customer, to fully satisfy their needs in the most economical way.