After nearly two months of intensive preparations, Formosa 2 collaborated with Maritime Port Bureau, Energy Administration, National Airborne Service Corps, Coast Guard Administration, and National Rescue Command Center, successfully completing the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) "2024 Offshore Wind Farm Maritime Disaster Prevention Drill" off the coast of Taichung Port on September 3. Offshore wind power is a key green alternative energy source promoted in Taiwan. To establish safety management for wind farms and enhance the efficiency of government and non-government cooperation in disaster prevention, this maritime disaster prevention drill featured four major components to verify the mission objectives and core capabilities of the involved units. Formosa 2's scenario of "offshore wind turbine technician injured and unconscious" was the first drill scenario, successfully demonstrating the first offshore wind farm turbine helicopter rescue drill in Taiwan.
Moritz Horn, CEO of Formosa 2, stated, "Formosa 2 is honored to have collaborated with Taiwanese government bureaus to establish a milestone for offshore wind Emergency Response Plan (ERP). On July 10th, we conducted a live drill, successfully completing Taiwan's first offshore wind turbine helicopter rescue drill, proactively managing risks associated with unique rescue scenarios. We believe that through these drills, we can leverage experience to swiftly reduce the pressure of rescue efforts in future incidents, ensuring prompt coordination between government and offshore wind farms and preparing for potential offshore operational risks ahead of time."
In this drill, Formosa 2 prepared for a scenario where an offshore wind turbine technician isnjured and unconscious in the turbine nacelle. The exercise simulated the immediate response of other technicians on-site, assessing the condition of the injured and, following the ERP, coordinating with the Operation Control Center (OCC) of Formosa 2 to request helicopter rescue from the National Airborne Service Corps, and the simulation of the helicopter rescue hoist operation on wind turbine.
During the exercise, the Formosa 2 OCC coordinators established close connections and rehearsed preparation steps with the National Rescue Command Center, the National Airborne Service Corps, the Coast Guard Administration, and medical institutions. To facilitate the rescue operations, Formosa 2 adjusted the rotor blades of the wind turbine to a "Y-shaped bunny ear position" and locked the blades in place in order to prevent movement. This positioning enhances the efficiency of hoisting rescue operations for injured personnel in the turbine nacelle, improving the future effectiveness of rescue efforts by the National Airborne Service Corps and the Coast Guard Administration.
Sebastien Husson, Operations Manager of Formosa 2, further explained, “Offshore rescue is a race against time. This drill allowed Formosa 2 to successfully demonstrate the ability for offshore wind emergency response in a realistic scenario, showcasing the responsiveness of its frontline personnel. Additionally, the exercise displayed professional and effective collaboration between Formosa 2 and Taiwanese emergency rescue agencies, such as Coast Guard Administration, National Rescue Command Center and, obviously, National Airborne Service Corps.
Formosa 2 has officially been operational since September 8, 2023, and is about to celebrate its anniversary this month. Witnessed by shareholders, local and government partners, contractors, and our financial partners, Formosa 2 was the first Round 2 offshore wind project in Taiwan to achieve Commercial Operation Date (COD), marks a significant milestone for the project, entering the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) phase.
Kevin Tyrens, the Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Manager of Formosa 2, stated, "The Formosa 2 Operations and Maintenance (O&M) team is dedicated to ensuring the safety of personnel working at all wind farm locations both on and offshore, maintaining round-the-clock monitoring of its operations. Formosa 2 has also achieved a past record of 546 consecutive days without any lost time workplace accidents and 305 days without any form of injury. Furthermore, despite significant natural disasters this year, such as the big earthquake on April 3rd and Typhoon Gaemi, the operations of our wind farm remained unaffected. We continued maintaining clear and effective communication with the government bureaus such as Energy Administration to ensure optimal wind farm performance.
In addition to enhancing operational efficiency and safety risk management at the wind farm, Formosa 2 is actively implementing ESG initiatives to benefit local communities. By donating critical equipment such as electronic navigational chart system and life jackets to maritime and fishing industry workers along the coastal regions of Hsinchu and Miaoli, Formosa 2 continues to give back to the communities surrounding the wind farm. Beyond contributing to Taiwan’s net-zero goals through offshore wind power, Formosa 2 aims to achieve a sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship with local communities.