NEDO Green Innovation Fund Project for Reducing the Cost of Offshore Wind Power Generation

Business Strategy for Floating Offshore Wind Power

TEPCO Renewable Power, Inc. began demonstration of Japan’s first fixed-bed offshore wind power turbine in 2009 off the coast of Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture. The turbine was operated for more than approximately eight years from 2013.
This turbine was constructed under harsh ocean and weather conditions while considering symbiosis with the surrounding natural environment and the fishing industry, and we were able to accumulate a great deal of technology and knowledge through construction, and operation and maintenance (O&M). In addition to the technical prowess and data that we accumulated during this time, we will leverage the knowledge of new partners from both within and outside of Japan to build larger offshore wind farms and manage every part of the process from planning to construction and O&M, to create profit from our offshore wind farm business.

Roadmap for building large scale wind farms

TEPCO RP aims to build large-scale floating offshore wind farms in Japan during the late 2020s based on the knowledge gained through domestic research and development, and participation in overseas demonstration projects.

NEDO's Green Innovation Fund for reducing the cost of offshore wind power generation has been employed for the following three projects.

1. ”Large Floating Spar” Floating Foundation/Low-Cost Installation Technology Development Project

Objective and Overview

  • By FY2030, we aim to establish technology to commercialize floating offshore wind turbines at globally competitive cost levels under certain conditions (wind conditions, etc.).
  • The focus will be on floating spar-buoy foundations that can support 15,000kW class wind turbines, and we shall develop low-cost elemental technologies and mass production methods that center around floating foundations, mooring systems and installation technologies. Our goal is to reduce floating foundation, mooring and installation costs by 25%.

Companies Involved

*Managing company is in bold letters

TEPCO Renewable Power, Inc., Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc.

Project Period

From FY2022 to FY2023 (two years) [Phase 1]

Project Concept Diagram

2. Offshore wind farm electrical system technology development project

Objective and Overview

  • Manufacturers and power companies will jointly develop technologies for high-voltage dynamic cables and floating offshore substations/power converter stations, etc., which are common issues that must be addressed before floating offshore wind farms can be built and expanded.
  • Manufacturers shall develop technologies in anticipation of future market needs while power companies deliberate/assess technologies that are anticipated to be needed in the future for floating offshore wind farms, thereby enabling the development of efficient technologies required for the actual use of offshore wind power by society.

Companies Involved

As shown in the figure below

Project Period

From FY2022 to FY2024 (three years) [Phase 1]

Project Concept Diagram

3. Offshore Wind Power Operation and Maintenance Advancement Project

Objective and Overview

  • By FY2030 we aim to establish technology to commercialize floating offshore wind turbines at globally competitive costs under certain conditions (wind conditions, etc.).
  • We aim to reduce maintenance costs for floating foundation, mooring systems and dynamic cables by 20% after Phase 1.
  • We aim to reduce nacelle and blade tower inspection costs by 20% after Phase 1.

Companies Involved

*Managing company is in bold letters

TEPCO Renewable Power, Inc., Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation

Project Period

From FY2022 to FY2023 (two years) [Phase 1]

Project Concept Diagram

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