Offshore Wind Power Smart Innovation: Creating Potential Business Opportunities for Machine Tools

Metal Industries Research & Development Centre

Planning & Promotion Department / Industrial Research Division

Lin Tzu-Chin

The Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders’ Association (hereinafter referred to as TMBA) and the Metal Industries Research & Development Centre (hereinafter referred to as MIRDC) held the “Offshore Wind Power Marine Machinery Intelligent Equipment Innovation Exchange Conference” on April 25 at the Taichung Zhen Ai Garden Hotel. This event brought together 66 participants and 37 companies, including Siemens Gamesa, San Feng Machinery, Yung Chi Paint & Varnish, and experts from MIRDC, to jointly explore process intelligence and innovative technologies for offshore wind power.

In recent years, global economic fluctuations—particularly challenges such as inflation, rising interest rates, and supply chain disruptions—have caused many developers and wind turbine manufacturers to face operational crises. Therefore, as global demand for green energy continues to grow, how to leverage intelligent manufacturing technologies to improve production efficiency of wind power components while minimizing manufacturing costs has become the top priority for industry players worldwide.

During the conference, TMBA Secretary-General Chen Chung-Ping emphasized that the machine tool industry is an important partner in the development of offshore wind power manufacturing. Close collaboration between these two industries will accelerate Taiwan’s progress toward becoming the core region for offshore wind power technology in Asia. Through mutual exchange and cooperation among industries, not only can professional capabilities be enhanced, but overall industrial innovation and advancement can also be promoted, strengthening the international competitiveness of Taiwanese companies.

The event began with an opening presentation by MIRDC industry analyst Lin Tzu-Chin, who provided a detailed introduction to intelligent manufacturing and equipment application cases in the offshore wind turbine component industry. San Feng Machinery Chairman Lin Sung-Yi shared experiences and achievements in smart machining of wind turbine components using large CNC lathes. Yung Chi Paint & Varnish R&D engineer Liu Yen-Fu discussed certification of coating systems for offshore wind turbines and experiences in smart manufacturing. Finally, MIRDC industry analyst Li Yuan-Jung offered an in-depth discussion on intelligent equipment applications and trends in the production of offshore wind power underwater foundation structures. During the meeting, Siemens Gamesa Deputy General Manager Chen Tzu-Chien further explained that with the operation of the nacelle assembly plant in Taichung and the development of the local supply chain, demand for equipment procurement will increase, creating potential business opportunities for domestic equipment suppliers and machine tool manufacturers.

Through this “Offshore Wind Power Marine Machinery Intelligent Equipment Innovation Exchange Conference,” experts from industry, government, academia, and research institutions jointly explored how to use intelligent technologies and advanced manufacturing equipment to improve industrial efficiency and address current economic challenges such as rising global inflation. Looking ahead, as global demand for green energy and sustainable development continues to grow, TMBA and MIRDC will continue to promote industrial smart upgrades and international cooperation to ensure Taiwan becomes a key player in the Asia-Pacific offshore wind power industry.