Kansai Electric Power (Kansai EPCO) and RWE Renewables (RWE) have signed an agreement to jointly study the feasibility of a large-scale floating offshore wind project off the Japanese coast.
The two companies agreed to further strengthen their existing relationship and leverage the complementary strengths of both companies, in support of Japan’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
RWE Renewables chief operating officer for global offshore wind Sven Utermöhlen said: “We see great potential for floating wind farms worldwide – but especially in countries with deeper coastal waters, like Japan.
“Floating wind could help to raise untapped potential off the Japanese coast.
“As one of the world’s leading offshore companies, RWE is already progressing innovation in the growing floating wind sector.
“With Kansai EPCO we have a partner by our side whose local expertise complements our global experience and technical know-how, and who shares our values and ambition to drive the growth of offshore wind in Japan.”
Kansai EPCO executive vice president Nozomu Mori (pictured: right) added: “As a leading company of zero-carbon energy, we have declared that Kansai Electric Power Group is aiming for carbon neutrality throughout the entirety of its business activities including power generation by 2050.
“We believe that development of floating offshore wind farms will be the key to achieve this.
“RWE is our important partner in the UK offshore wind business. We believe that our existing relationship can be extended for safe and stable offshore wind operation in Japan, by combining Kansai EPCO’s experience and expertise in domestic electricity business and RWE’s global equivalent in offshore wind.”