Taiwan and China are planning to invest NT$300 billion (US$9.1 billion) to explore the potential of wind power generation in Penghu, said TECO Electric & Machinery Co Ltd (東元電機) chairman Liu Chao-kai (劉兆凱), who is also the chairman of Taiwan Wind Energy Association.
Liu was speaking at yesterday’s Cross-Strait Wind Energy Forum, which attracted more than 500 company executives.
The forum, which ends today, aims to investigate ways in which the two countries could collaborate on this booming alternative energy industry, the organizer said in a press statement yesterday, adding that the potential market value could reach US$100 billion by 2011.
WIND FARMS
Liu said local wind energy companies preferred the flexibility of smaller wind farms not connected to a central electric power transmission network. Smaller facilities are also not required to apply for operating licenses, Liu said.
Smaller wind farms also mean scattered electrical grids in isolated areas operated by various providers, which is actually suitable for the country’s diverse terrain, he said.
TECO is diversifying its bets by covering both large and small wind turbines by seeking international partnerships such as in northern Europe, he said.
TECO will also seek local component suppliers for its wind turbine manufacturing, Liu said, adding that the company aimed to launch its first wind turbine next year.
“We hope to experience tremendous growth within three years,” Liu said.
GOLDWIND
Unlike TECO, Xinjiang-based Goldwind Science & Technology Co Ltd (金風科技) focuses on large-scale wind turbines.
Since its inception in 1997, Goldwind has focused on importing technology, outsourcing, research and development and vertical integration through acquisitions of companies that specialize in power converters, Goldwind chairman and chief executive Wu Gang (武鋼) told a media briefing yesterday.
So far, the Chinese alternative energy firm has sold more than 5,000 wind turbines, has a market value of 40 billion yuan (US$5.85 billion) and experienced annual growth of more than 100 percent over the past eight years, Wu said.
“This year we expect 10 billion yuan in profit,” he said.
RSS