Taiwan has laid out plans to add as much as 18 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2039, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs' 2026–2039 Offshore Wind Power Medium- and Long-Term Promotion Plan. The roadmap targets total installed capacity between 24.7 GW and 27.9 GW by the end of the period, compared with around 4.9 GW today.
Expansion Targets
Under the plan, Taiwan intends to add between 15 GW and 18 GW of new offshore wind capacity and hold auctions every four years. Around 8 GW is expected to be allocated during each four-year round, providing developers and suppliers with a more predictable project pipeline. Installed capacity is projected to reach between 18.3 GW and 19.9 GW by 2035, with a nearer-term target of 10.9 GW by 2030.
| Milestone | Target Capacity | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Current (2026) | ~4.9 GW | Ministry of Economic Affairs |
| By 2030 | 10.9 GW | Ministry of Economic Affairs |
| By 2035 | 18.3 – 19.9 GW | Ministry of Economic Affairs |
| By 2039 | 24.7 – 27.9 GW | Ministry of Economic Affairs |
Demand Drivers
The programme comes as Taiwan expects electricity consumption to increase by around 2.5% annually between 2026 and 2035. Semiconductor, artificial intelligence, and high-tech sectors are putting pressure on electricity supply. Offshore wind is being positioned as a major source of additional low-carbon power and a way to reduce exposure to volatile imported fuel prices.
Implementation and Policy
The strategy is based on four areas: clearer policy direction, support for domestic supply chains, green financing, and faster permitting. Measures will include financial incentives, industrial development programmes, and changes aimed at improving administrative efficiency. Regular auctions are intended to help companies plan investments in installation vessels, ports, turbine components, and specialised offshore equipment. The government plans to begin developing floating offshore wind projects in 2026, opening areas unsuitable for conventional fixed-bottom foundations. Potential development zones have been assessed with Taiwan’s defence, transport, and agriculture ministries to account for military requirements, shipping routes, fishing activity, and other competing uses of maritime space.
Broader Energy Goals
The expansion plan supports Taiwan’s target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, as well as its 2030 goals of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by up to 30% from 2005 levels and raising renewables to 30% of the power mix.
By scaling offshore wind capacity dramatically, Taiwan aims to secure low-carbon power for its growing industrial base while reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels, a move that will influence regional energy commodity flows and demand for wind-energy materials.
Sources:
