By Ted Chen / Staff reporterOffshore wind energy companies yesterday clinched approvals from regulators, making strides in the race to secure favorable power purchase agreements with the government before the end of the year. Following a coastal zone management review meeting, the Ministry of the Interior gave the green light to seven offshore wind project applications in Changhua County by Orsted A/S, Northland Power Inc, Yushan Energy Co (玉山能源), Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and China Steel Corp (中鋼). The seven projects cover an area of 805km2 off the Changhua coast, of which 7.6 percent, or 61km2, is under the jurisdiction of the Coastal Zone Management Act (海岸管理法), the ministry said. A panel found that the companies met government requirements to bring minimal disruptions to the environment and shipping lanes, the ministry said. The firms have agreed to coordinate among themselves to keep underwater power lines and docks close to each other to minimize their footprint, it said.

Source: Taipei Times December 21, 2018 16:01 UTC