Industry official: Japan will start planning floating wind testing centre next year
A senior industry official announced that Japan will begin planning for a floating national wind test centre in 2019. The official vowed to continue on the path of wind energy growth despite recent setbacks, such as Mitsubishi quitting three projects.
Last month, Mitsubishi-led consortiums dropped plans to build three offshore windmills that won Japan's first large state auction in 2021. This was a blow for the sector which is seen as crucial to reducing dependence on imported fuels.
Masakatsu Terazaki (FLOWRA), chairman of the Floating offshore Wind Technology Research Association, said: "We need to conduct verification tests on Japanese waters because Japan's oceans and weather conditions are different from those in Europe."
In a Tuesday interview, he said that the association would discuss functions and equipment. He also stressed the need for such a center to the government.
He said that Japan should draw on the vast experience of the EMEC (the national floating wind testing centre in Scotland) and the METCentre (the Norwegian Marine Energy Test Centre), to benefit from their expertise.
The Japan Wind Power Association reports that Japan has seven offshore wind farms. Two of them are small floating turbines, and their combined capacity is 253 megawatts (MW) by the end of 2024. However, it is betting on large projects in order to increase energy security.
The country aims to have 45 GW of offshore pipeline in place by 2040. This includes 15 GW and more of floating winds across its expansive exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which is the world's 6th largest.
FLOWRA was formed last year and brings together 21 companies in Japan, including JERA, a liquefied gas (LNG), buyer, and Tokyo Gas. The group has signed cooperation agreements with Britain, Norway and others for studies on floating wind technology.
The UK has the second largest installed offshore wind power after China, while Norway operates Hywind Tampen - the largest offshore wind farm to date.
Terazaki stated that Japan wants to have the first large-scale floating project pipeline in fiscal 2029. FLOWRA will contribute to this goal.
Data centres and semiconductor factories are expected to drive a 6% increase in electricity demand by 2035. He added that while nuclear power and LNG can help, renewables will be essential.
Terazaki's biggest concern is that Mitsubishi's decision to withdraw from offshore wind will undermine momentum. He also stressed the importance of this sector in meeting Japan's rising energy demand and achieving its carbon neutrality goals.
"Japan has no fossil fuel resources and lacks large areas of land for solar and onshore winds, but it has an extensive EEZ. He said that there was no reason to not use the EEZ.
The Netherlands and UK also faced similar challenges. This is part of the process. Reporting by Katya Glubkova, Yuka Obayashi and Clarence Fernandez. Editing by Clarence Fernandez.
(source: Reuters)