NOW and Taiwanese R&D giants sign strategic MoU at ONS

On Wednesday at ONS 2026 in Stavanger, Norwegian Offshore Wind formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three of Taiwan’s premier technology and industrial research hubs:

• Metal Industries Research and Development Centre (MIRDC)
• Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI)
• Ship and Ocean Industries R&D Center (SOIC)

The four-way agreement focuses on two key pillars: the joint development and operational governance of offshore test sites for ocean renewable energy, and the building of resilient cross-border supply chains serving both demonstration and full-scale commercial projects.

Why Taiwan matters: A top-4 global powerhouse

Taiwan’s inclusion in this partnership is a major milestone for the Norwegian supply chain.

Data from the TGS | 4C Market Overview Report (Q1 2026) places Taiwan 4th globally in long-term offshore wind ambitions, targeting an extraordinary 55 GW by 2050, a goal surpassed only by China, Germany, and the Netherlands.

While Taiwan has established a robust bottom-fixed offshore sector in the Taiwan Strait, the island nation is now preparing for its next technological leap. With Taiwan’s first floating offshore wind demonstration programme expected to launch in 2026, the local market urgently requires tested floating foundations, advanced mooring solutions, and specialized marine logistics.

Global recognition for METCentre and Norwegian pioneering

That Taiwan’s leading research institutions are seeking direct collaboration with NOW and the Marine Energy Test Centre (METCentre) off Karmøy speaks volumes about Norway’s standing in floating offshore wind.

Rather than working in isolation, international markets recognize that METCentre’s hands-on experience, hosting pioneering floating turbines like Zephyros (formerly Hywind Demo) and TetraSpar, provides a blueprint for safe, efficient offshore testing.

"We register once again that the operational insight and technical foundation we have established through METCentre is globally attractive," says Arvid Nesse, CEO of Norwegian Offshore Wind. 

Taiwan is among the absolute front-runners when it comes to 2050 offshore wind targets, and floating wind will be key to unlocking their deepwater potential. Establishing structured collaboration on testing and supply chain development benefits developers and suppliers on both sides of the globe.

Representing the Taiwanese research centers, representatives from MIRDC, ITRI, and SOIC emphasized the complementary nature of the partnership, noting that combining Norway's offshore marine engineering pedigree with Taiwan’s industrial manufacturing speed creates ideal conditions for scaling ocean renewables.

“This MoU marks an important step in strengthening collaboration between Taiwan and Norway in offshore renewable energy,” said representatives of MIRDC, ITRI, and SOIC. 

By combining Norway’s experience in offshore test sites with Taiwan’s R&D and industrial capabilities, we look forward to advancing technology validation and creating new opportunities for supply chain cooperation.