Last week, Flotation Energy welcomed a delegation from Taiwan—comprising of university researchers, policy analysts, and think tank representatives, for a dedicated boat trip to the Kincardine Offshore Windfarm. Some 15km off the East Coast of Scotland, Kincardine is still the world’s largest grid-connected floating wind project and now a living testimonial for the global floating wind sector.
Delegates from Taiwan’s SOIC at the Kincardine offshore windfarm
Onboard the vessel out to the windfarm site, our team walked the delegations through the the layout of the array, safety protocols, and the engineering choices that allow these turbines to sustain high waves and at times, typhoon‑strength winds while maintaining high availability. Up close, the scale of the Wind Turbine Generators (WTGs) is striking, with the towers rising more than 90 m above the water, blade diameter longer than a football pitch, and platforms shifting subtly with the swell.
For the Taiwanese delegates, a number of whom hold influential roles shaping Taiwan’s offshore wind industry, R&D, and policy direction—the trip sparked detailed discussions on mooring design, port infrastructure, supply chains, incentive system, and how floating wind could complement Taiwan’s unique offshore conditions and long-term energy ambitions.
Onboard a vessel at Kincardine floating offshore windfarm.
Taiwan remains strongly committed to offshore wind as a core pillar of its energy transition, energy security and industrial development strategy. Under its 2026–2039 offshore wind roadmap, the government plans to expand offshore wind capacity to 18.3–19.9 GW by 2035, increasing further to 24.7–27.9 GW by 2039.
The roadmap provides a clearer long-term market signal through successive four-year allocation periods of around 8 GW, while expanding available development areas by 15–18 GW. Floating offshore wind is also being incorporated into the future deployment pathway, supporting Taiwan’s transition towards deeper-water resources and larger-scale offshore wind development.
Stakeholder visits like this to Kincardine, is where policy strategy and implementation meet, posing strategic questions of just how Taiwan’s emerging floating wind ambitions will move forward over the months ahead.
