Japan and Denmark have joined forces to research and develop floating offshore wind power technologies, as reported by Nikkei Asia on October 24. This collaboration brings together industry experts, academic researchers, and government officials from both nations, aiming to streamline the production of floating offshore wind turbines and reduce associated costs. Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Danish energy ministry, outlining plans to establish a sustainable and cost-effective supply chain for hydrogen and ammonia. Additionally, the two countries are pooling their expertise to set global standards for the industry.

Denmark, a frontrunner in offshore wind power, boasts major industry players such as Vestas [VWS:DC] and Orsted [ORSTED:DC]. Japan, on the other hand, possesses crucial shipbuilding technology vital for floating equipment and faces a pressing need to enhance wind power capacity. Unlike traditional models anchored to the seabed, floating systems can be deployed in deeper waters, tapping into offshore wind resources. Moreover, these systems can be constructed and assembled on land, then towed to the offshore installation site, streamlining the installation process and reducing costs significantly.This technology holds paramount importance for Japan, given its limited available land for onshore renewable projects. The Japanese government has ambitious plans to establish 10 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind capacity by 2030, with a vision of reaching 45 GW by 2040. Floating offshore wind turbines are anticipated to become the predominant form of offshore wind power in Japan by 2040, playing a pivotal role in the country’s renewable energy expansion.

Sources:

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Energy/Japan-Denmark-to-cooperate-on-floating-wind-turbine-technology

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/japan-denmark-collaborate-floating-offshore-wind-technology-2023-10-24/

https://acteon.com/blog/benefits-of-floating-offshore-wind/

https://www.windsystemsmag.com/the-advantages-of-floating-wind-turbines/