Japan’s research and development agency has selected two floating offshore wind demonstration projects to help reduce costs for the nascent technology.
Consortia led by conglomerate Marubeni and shipping firm Mitsui O.S.K. Lines will receive subsidies to develop projects off Akita and Aichi respectively.
Marubeni’s project is due to consist of two 15MW turbines installed on semi-submersible floating platforms in water depths of approximately 400 metres. The partners aim to start commercial operations in autumn 2029.
Meanwhile, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines’ project is due to consist of one 15MW-plus turbine on a semi-submersible floating platform.
The projects were selected by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO) – a national research and development agency – to help to reduce costs for floating offshore wind. The developers are now due to negotiate research and development grants before building the pilot projects.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines noted that this will be necessary if Japan – which has deep waters preventing the use of fixed-bottom foundations – is to expand its offshore wind sector.
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