Typhoon Danas Damages Offshore Floating Solar Platforms in Taiwan

Pingtung County Orders Energy Firm to Clear Debris and Submit Repair Plan

Typhoon Danas caused significant damage to floating solar platforms located offshore from Jiadong Township in Taiwan late Sunday night. The storm scattered debris across a stretch of coastline exceeding one kilometer, as reported by the Pingtung County Government on Monday.

These offshore floating solar platforms are part of a project developed by Sun Rise E&T Corp. The project, which covers a total area of 160,000 square meters, received approval from the Ministry of Economic Affairs in 2023.

Sun Rise E&T Corp. stated that the platforms were not yet equipped with solar panels. Consequently, the company anticipates minimal impact on the marine ecosystem. The structures are constructed from environmentally friendly materials and were primarily deployed for testing their resilience against waves.

In response to the incident, the Pingtung Marine and Fisheries Management Office has mandated that Sun Rise E&T Corp. remove all scattered debris by Wednesday. Following this, the company must present a plan for repair or reconstruction for the county government's approval. Operations are prohibited from resuming until this plan is officially sanctioned.

The office has also directed the company to conduct inspections of the surrounding waters, including areas near Linbian Township, Donggang Township, and Xiaoliuqiu, to ascertain if any platforms have drifted into these locations.

Sun Rise E&T Corp. explained that the design of its floating platforms necessitates reinforced connections between them to withstand strong winds and rough seas. The company had initiated the dismantling of some units in June to enhance the design before reinstallation. However, unfavorable sea conditions preceding Typhoon Danas prevented the complete removal of all platforms in a timely manner.

Out of the approximately 1,400 floating platforms deployed, Sun Rise E&T Corp. has managed to recover about 60%. The company emphasized that the majority of the structures sustained only minor damage and are expected to be repairable and reusable after appropriate maintenance.

Local fishermen have voiced concerns that the drifting platforms could pose navigational hazards for fishing vessels. The Pingtung County Government has committed to collaborating with Sun Rise E&T Corp. on a thorough assessment. Should any design deficiencies be identified, the company will be required to implement immediate corrective measures.