Press Information

Fukushima Recovery, Experimental Offshore Floating Wind Farm Project

Marubeni Corporation
The University of Tokyo
Mitsubishi Corporation
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
IHI Marin United Inc.
Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
Nippon Steel Corporation
Hitachi, Ltd.
Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
Shimizu Corporation
Mizuho Information & Research Institute, Inc.
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A consortium made up of Marubeni (project integrator), 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.

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 in 2012 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 hard 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.

We believe that creating a practical wind farm business scheme through this experimental project could lead to the deployment of large scale floating wind farms in the future. Moreover, taking advantage of the experience and knowledge gained through this, the world's first floating wind farm, this business could be expanded on a global basis and lead to the development of a new Japanese export industry.

                                       Table1  Facility Specifications

Facility Name

Scale

Wind Turbine Form

Floating Form

Project Term

Floating Substation

25MVA 
66kV

Substation

Advanced Spar

First

Wind Turbine

2MW

Downwind Type

4 Column Semi-Sub

First

Large Wind Turbine

7MW

Oil Pressure DriveType

3 Column Semi-Sub

Second

Large Wind Turbine 

7MW

Oil Pressure Drive Type Or
Downwind Type

Advanced Spar

Second

  

                                       Table2  Consortium Members' Main Roles

Consortium Member

Main Rule

Marubeni Corporation

Project Integrator
Feasibility Study, Approval and Licensing, Environment, Fishery Industry, O&M, etc.

The University of Tokyo

Technical Advisor
Floating Observation, Technical Developing

Mitsubishi Corporation

Feasibility Study, Approval and Licensing, Environment, Fishery Industry, O&M, etc.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Floating Wind Turbine

IHI Marin United Inc.

Floating Wind Turbine
Floating Body for Substation

Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.

Floating Wind Turbine

Nippon Steel Corporation

Steel supply

Hitachi, Ltd.

Floating Electric Power Substation

Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.

Undersea Cable


About MHI Group

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com.