Japanese utility Kansai Electric Power (Kansai Epco) and German company RWE Renewables are teaming up to explore the possibility of developing a large-scale floating offshore wind farm off Japan.
They will jointly carry out a study into the feasibility of the project, the companies announced.
The partners have not stated what capacity the project might be, or where it might be built.
RWE’s chief operating officer Sven Utermöhlen said the company sees “great potential” for floating offshore wind, especially in countries with deep coastal waters like Japan.
The German developer is also studying the feasibility of developing fixed-bottom foundation offshore wind farms in Japan, including off Akita and Niigata prefectures
Meanwhile, Kansai Epco is currently developing more than 2GW of renewable energy and aims to have 6GW of renewables worldwide by the 2030s. It is also working on offshore wind farms in Japan, including off Akita, Yamagata and Nagasaki prefectures.
The utility was part of a consortium successful inn Japan’s first floating offshore wind tender.
Kansai shares Japan’s ambition of being carbon neutral by 2050.
RWE and Kansai Epco have previously collaborated on the 857MW Triton Knoll Triton Knoll (857MW) Offshoreoff Lincolnshire, England, UK, Europe Click to see full details offshore wind farm off the UK. RWE owns 59% and Kansai Epco holds 16%.
Japan aims to install between 30GW and 45GW of offshore wind by 2040 as the country aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
