Vestas and Nippon Steel Corporation have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on tower steel supply for wind projects in Europe, Asia and Japan.
The agreement was signed in Tokyo in the presence of vice-minister for economy, trade and industry Mr Matsuo and aims to support the development of domestic wind projects and strengthen international supply chains.
Steel will be sourced from Nippon Steel’s East Japan Works Kimitsu and Kyushu Works Oita plants, according to the companies.
Vestas and Nippon Steel said they will jointly pursue global business opportunities under the agreement.
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Vestas have also launched a new public-private cooperation framework focused on boosting domestic wind power development and manufacturing.
The initiative will address long-term investment and supply chain issues, including stable project formation, Japanese company participation in the Vestas supply chain, and investment in local production of key components.
METI said the collaboration aims to support the large-scale, stable introduction of wind energy in Japan and build a resilient domestic wind turbine manufacturing base.