OMNI Features｜Japan's GF Corporation Partners with IX Renewables for Taiwan's Floating Wind Project．Avangrid Gets Full Federal Approval to Build New England Wind Projects．California Awarded $4.5 Million Grant to Reduce GHG Emissions from Buildings

(Source: iStock_Credit_Asia-Pacific Images Studio)

｜Japan's GF Corporation Partners with IX Renewables for Taiwan's Floating Wind Project
IX Renewables' Rui-Li 1 floating wind project will partner with Japanese renewable energy company GF Corporation as a key strategic collaborator. Last week, they officially announced their participation in Taiwan's floating wind demonstration project. Taiwan aims to establish 13 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, with a planned capacity of up to 55 GW by 2050.

The Rui-Li 1 floating project, located off the coast of Hsinchu County, plans to equip 12 wind turbines of 15 MW each. The selected wind farm is expected to be constructed between 2027 and 2029 and connected to the grid by the end of 2030.

IX Renewables stated that this participation will pave the way for the next wave of commercial-scale floating offshore wind development in the Taiwan Strait. GF Corporation, headquartered in Anan, Tokushima, Japan, plans to develop floating offshore wind projects in Japan as part of its goal to achieve a total of 1 GW of solar and wind power installations by 2033.

Koji Fujisaki, CEO of GF Corporation, expressed, "GF Corporation is proud to participate in the Rui-Li 1 project. Our commitment to this project aligns with our vision of promoting renewable energy globally. We believe our expertise and resources will further advance Taiwan's first floating offshore wind project. The Rui-Li 1 project not only provides us with valuable experience for our future projects in Japan but also strengthens our commitment to benefiting local communities and promoting sustainable development."

IX Renewables, headquartered in the Netherlands with offices in Taiwan and Japan, is responsible for coordinating the Rui-Li 1 project. The company is dedicated to innovation, environmental management, and community engagement, ensuring that projects comply with regulatory standards while positively impacting local economies and ecosystems. Environmental sustainability is at the core of this project.

Eric Kamphues, Chairman of the Rui-Li 1 project and CEO of IX Renewables, remarked, "The Rui-Li 1 project is a milestone initiative for Taiwan's energy future and a significant mission for me personally. With the invaluable support from GF Corporation and our dedicated team, we will make a substantial positive impact on Taiwan’s renewable energy landscape. This project highlights our core values of respect, trust, and collaboration, aiming to provide lasting benefits for local communities and the environment."

The Netherlands has long been a significant foreign investor in Taiwan. Dutch companies such as ASML, Atradius, and NXP Semiconductors have deeply engaged in Taiwan’s technology industry, making significant contributions to its economic development. Currently, the Netherlands is Taiwan’s second-largest foreign investor.

｜Avangrid Gets Full Federal Approval to Build New England Wind Projects
Avangrid on Monday said the construction and operations plan for its New England Wind 1 and 2 offshore projects received full federal approval, opening the way for construction to begin as soon as next year.

The 791MW project, which will be built roughly 30 miles south of Barnstable, Massachusetts. The approval of the construction and operations plan by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) largely completes the federal, state, and local permitting process for the New England Wind 1 project.

The New England Wind 2 project is expected to be sized at 1,080 MW, the company said.

｜California Awarded $4.5 Million Grant to Reduce GHG Emissions from Buildings
California has received a federal grant of $4.5 million to advance statewide public and private building decarbonization. The new California program that received the grant is called the Local Government Building Decarbonization Challenge.

The funding is part of $18.5 million allocated by the U.S. Department of Energy to four states and 20 local governments in the next round of formula grants through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. Through the challenge, local governments in the state can pursue diverse projects, such as building decarbonization planning, developing stronger building energy codes and creating energy efficiency and electrification workforce development programs.

"No one knows communities' energy improvement needs better than the state and local governments, and the Biden-Harris Administration is helping support these ongoing efforts for a clean energy future for all," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm.

Reference: windpowernl｜offshorewind.biz｜Market Watch｜Times of SAN DIEGO