Belgian company DEME has secured a contract to participate in the Oga Katagami Akita Offshore Wind Project in Japan through its joint venture, Japan Offshore Marine (JOM). The agreement covers engineering services and vessel chartering for the offshore installation of 21 Vestas V236-15 MW wind turbines.
In addition to representing a new advance for the Japanese offshore wind energy sector, the project will mark the first deployment of 15 MW category turbines in the country and one of the first applications of this technology outside of Europe, excluding China.
Japan accelerates the development of offshore wind energy
The contract is part of the development promoted by Oga Katagami Akita Offshore Green Energy LLC. together with Penta-Ocean Construction Co., Ltd., actors that seek to expand the country’s renewable generation capacity through state-of-the-art offshore wind infrastructure.
The installation of the 21 turbines will increase clean energy production and strengthen Japan’s decarbonization strategy. The project also reflects the country’s growing interest in developing a competitive offshore industry with specialized local capabilities.
The Sea Challenger will lead the marine installation
The offshore work will be carried out using the self-elevating vessel Sea Challenger, one of DEME’s specialized vessels for the installation of offshore wind turbines.
When operations begin, scheduled for the second half of 2027, the vessel will operate under the Japanese flag. This decision is part of Japan Offshore Marine’s local development strategy to support the sustained growth of the domestic offshore wind market.
An alliance to strengthen local capacity
Japan Offshore Marine combines DEME’s international experience in offshore installations with Penta-Ocean Construction’s operational expertise in Japan. This collaboration aims to accelerate the execution of offshore wind projects while maintaining high standards of safety, reliability, and efficiency.
According to Akihiko Togo, executive director of Japan Offshore Marine, the award reflects the cooperation between the participating organizations and demonstrates the shared commitment to the sustainable growth of Japanese offshore wind energy.
For his part, Frank Jonckheere, Managing Director for Asia-Pacific Marine Energy at DEME, noted that this first contract confirms JOM’s operational capacity to take on larger-scale offshore projects and highlights the combination of technical expertise, specialized assets, and local partnerships.
DEME expands its presence in the Japanese renewable energy market
With this project, DEME continues to strengthen its image in Japan within the marine renewable energy sector. The company believes the initiative is an important step in establishing long-term relationships that will contribute to the country’s energy transition.
DEME’s stake in the contract is valued at up to 50 million euros. The agreement also strengthens the company’s global strategy in the offshore wind sector, where it maintains a prominent presence thanks to its expertise in offshore installation, maritime infrastructure, and new energy development.
Source and photo: Deme-group
