The Metal Industries Research & Development Center (MIRDC) and the CR Classification Society (CR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) on June 6, 2017 on the cooperation of offshore wind field certification technology at ClassNK headquarters in Tokyo. The MoU signing ceremony was presided by Bureau of Standards, Metrology & Inspection (BSMI) Director General Liou Ming-jong and Taiwanese and Japanese representatives from the field of industry, government and academia. The MoU was signed by MIRDC Chair Lin Ren-yih, CR Chair Donald Chao and Koichi Fujiwara, head of ClassNK. The three parties will strengthen cooperation on offshore wind field certification technology to accelerate Taiwan's wind power development and ensure the safety and reliability of Taiwan's offshore wind field. "Offshore wind power plays an important role in Taiwan's renewable energy development. Third parity certification not only enhances the safety and reliability of offshore wind field, but also serves as a significant reference for financial and insurance specialists taking part in offshore wind field development," said Liu. Taiwan is expected to have offshore wind energy of around of 3,000 MW in gross installed capacity by 2025. In 2016, the Executive Yuan ordered the BSMI under the Ministry of Economic Affairs to plan the establishment of a third party certification center to provide reliable estimates for financial and underwriting risk analysis as well as to boost Taiwan's renewable energy development. One of the center's focuses is offshore wind power. The center will develop the capacity to conduct self test on offshore wind power, align the country's system with international practice, ensure the safety and stability of offshore wind field as well as lower the set up costs of wind fields. Japan has sped up the development of renewable energy after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011. In 2016, Japan completed an offshore wind field which includes three floating wind turbine and one floating power sub-station. ClassNK has acquired practical experience in offshore wind field certification by participating in the Fukushima project. Taiwan, like Japan, is located on the Ring of Fire and needs an offshore wind power field that can sustain typhoons and earthquakes. The signing of the MoU can increase bilateral technology exchanges, encourage the sharing of research results about the role environmental factors play on offshore wind field and help Taiwan's offshore wind power industry tap into the Asia Pacific market. Agency in charge: Inspection Techniques Division (The 6th Division) Contact person: Mr. Chih-wun Huang Telephone: +886-2-23431828