Fukushima offshore floating wind farm project to begin

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A consortium made up of Maruben, the University of Tokyo, Mitsubishi, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, IHI Marine United, Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding, Nippon Steel, Hitachi, Furukawa Electric, Shimizu and Mizuho Information & Research are participating in an experimental offshore floating wind farm project sponsored by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

This experimental project consists of three floating wind turbines and one floating power sub-station off the coast of Fukushima. The first stage of this experimental project will begin later this month and consists of one 2MW floating wind turbine, the world’s first 66kV floating power sub-station and undersea cable. In the second stage of the project, two 7MW wind turbines will be added between 2013 and 2015.

Fukushima Prefecture expects this experimental project to spawn a new industry in renewable energy and create employment as part of recovery efforts in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Through this experimental project, Fukushima Prefecture hopes to develop a large wind farm industry.

It is understood that one of the most important themes of this experimental project is the coexistence of the fishery industry with the offshore wind farm industry. To ensure this, the consortium will work to maintain good relations with the local fishery industry through strong communication while at the same time pursuing the commercialization of this offshore wind farm project.