The Japanese company Glocal, together with a consortium of strategic partners, has begun commercial operation of the Hibikinada floating wind turbine, located 15 kilometers off the coast of Kitakyushu.located 15 kilometers off the coast of Kitakyushu. This initiative marks a major breakthrough for the country’s marine renewable energy.
After its commissioning in May 2019 as part of a demonstration project by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), the 3 MW Aerodyn turbine installed on a steel barge has been converted for commercial operation under Glocal’s management.
Consolidation of the floating project
The closing of the pilot in March 2024 gave way to an adaptation phase that allowed the plant to be certified for operation in the regulated market. The consortium plans to keep the facility active for 20 years, taking advantage of the fixed tariff (FIT) scheme of 36 yen per kWh in force for projects of floating offshore wind energy projects.
Glocal is in charge of the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the wind farm, while SMFL Mirai Partners is leading the asset management. The project’s special purpose company (SPC) is also backed by investors such as Renewable Japan, Gojin Group, KEMCO and Chugoku Electric Power.
The floating wind turbine and the wind energy horizon
Hibikinada represents Japan’s second floating plant in commercial operation and the first to use a steel barge. the first to use a steel barge for the. This initiative complements Japan’s efforts to achieve 5.7 GW of offshore wind power. installed offshore wind power installed by fiscal 2030.
As part of its expansion strategy, Glocal has initiated environmental impact studies to develop a new 30 MW floating project in the same area, thus underpinning the growth of marine energy in the Kitakyushu region.
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Source and photo: BW Ideol
