The collaboration between Japan and the US represents a significant effort to address the high costs associated with offshore floating wind projects. This partnership was announced during a meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and US President Joe Biden in Washington.
The White House has formally designated Japan as the inaugural international partner in the US Floating Offshore Wind Shot initiative. The primary focus of this joint endeavour will be to expedite progress in key areas such as engineering and manufacturing, which are crucial for the development of floating wind farms.
As part of this collaboration, Japan has committed to allocating Y120bn from its Green Innovation Fund to advance floating wind technology. The ultimate goal, as stated by the White House, is to collaborate on innovative breakthroughs that reduce technology costs, accelerate the transition to cleaner energy, and produce positive outcomes for coastal communities.
In support of this initiative, Japan has recently established the Floating Offshore Wind Technology Research Association (FLOWRA), with the aim of reducing costs and enabling mass production of floating offshore wind. This project has garnered support in the US and is anticipated to engage in collaborative efforts with academic institutions.
The US government is also making significant strides in this area, particularly through the implementation of the Floating Offshore Wind Shot. Led by several departments including Energy, Interior, Commerce, and Transportation, this initiative has set an ambitious target to reduce the cost of floating offshore wind installations in deep waters by more than 70% to $45 per megawatt-hour (MWh) within the next decade. Additionally, the US aims to install 15GW of floating offshore wind capacity by 2035, which is expected to power over five million homes and contribute to the reduction of reliance on fossil fuels.
Japan is a newcomer to the field of floating offshore wind technology, having previously focused solely on bottom-fixed structures in state auctions for offshore wind farms. However, a consortium of Japanese energy companies, including Mitsubishi Corp’s wind power unit, Tokyo Gas and JERA, have come together to advance the development of floating offshore wind technology. This group is supported by the participation of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone’s energy unit, Tohoku Electric Power, Kansai Electric Power, and the Marubeni Corporation’s wind power unit.
Looking ahead, Japan has set its sights on becoming a prominent offshore wind power producer, with government targets of 10GW by 2030 and up to 45GW by 2040.
In conclusion, the Japan-US partnership in driving down costs associated with offshore floating wind projects represents a significant step towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future. With concerted efforts and strategic collaborations, we can look forward to the accelerated development of this promising technology.