SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Marubeni launches Innovative Floating Wind Project in Akita

Marubeni Corporation launches a floating offshore wind project in Akita, supported by the NEDO Green Innovation Fund, aimed at reducing costs and stimulating innovation in the sector.

Share:

Réduction des coûts éolien flottant

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

START NOW — 4.90$/month

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

SUBSCRIBE — 99$/year

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

Sign up for free to unlock this article

The renewable energy sector takes another step forward with the launch of the Southern Akita Floating Offshore Wind Demonstration Project by Marubeni Corporation and its subsidiary Marubeni Offshore Wind Development Corporation (MOWD). This project, supported by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), aims to reduce the costs of floating offshore wind power and facilitate its international adoption. Japan, meanwhile, has been stepping up offshore wind power development in recent years.
The MOWD-led consortium includes Akita Floating Offshore Wind Corporation, Tohoku Electric Power Co, Inc, Japan Marine United Corporation, TOA CORPORATION, TOKYO SEIKO ROPE MFG. CO, LTD, Kanden Plant Corporation, JFE Engineering Corporation, and NAKANIHON AIR Co, Ltd. Together, they plan to install two wind turbines of over 15 MW each, located at a depth of around 400 meters off the southern coast of Akita Prefecture.

Challenges and Opportunities of Floating Offshore Wind Energy

Floating offshore wind power is seen as a promising solution for increasing energy production capacity while reducing costs in the long term, as envisaged by Patten Energy’s project to develop offshore wind power in Japan. Unlike fixed wind turbines, floating structures can be installed in deeper and wider marine areas, offering greater flexibility and higher energy production potential. This project in Akita represents a crucial step towards commercializing this technology at competitive costs on an international scale by 2030.
Marubeni’s participation in this project is part of a broader strategy to develop floating offshore wind energy. Marubeni is already involved in demonstration projects in Fukushima and Kitakyushu, and has secured seabed leasing rights in Scotland for a similar project. These initiatives aim to build a robust supply chain and accelerate the adoption of floating wind power.

Economic impact and future prospects

The project should not only reduce energy production costs, but also stimulate the local economy by creating jobs and developing specialized skills. The project is scheduled to enter commercial operation in autumn 2029, with deployment scheduled from July 2024 to March 2031.
The collaboration between various industrial partners and NEDO’s ongoing support illustrate Japan’s commitment to innovation in the field of renewable energies. The ultimate goal is to develop technologies that are competitive on the world market, strengthening Japan’s position as a leader in the renewable energy sector.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Dongfang Electric installs 26 MW offshore wind turbine, a world record
Strathcona Resources seeks to raise its stake in MEG Energy to 14.2%
Gazprom and CNPC seal binding agreement for the Power of Siberia 2 project
Indonesia advances waste-to-energy incineration with support from SUS ENVIRONMENT
TotalEnergies secures two new offshore permits in the West Delta basin
Orsted sues Trump administration over halt of Revolution Wind project
Orsted and two U.S. states have taken federal legal action to contest the abrupt halt of the Revolution Wind project, a $5 billion offshore venture now at risk of prolonged suspension.
SPIE secures strategic contract for TPC II offshore wind farm in Taiwan
SPIE Wind Connect will carry out subsea connections for phase II of the TPC project, a major development in Taiwan’s offshore wind sector with a projected annual capacity of 1,000 GWh.
Envision Energy enters Turkish market with 232 MW wind project
Envision Energy launches its first project in Turkey in partnership with Yildizlar Group, adding 232 MW to the national wind capacity in Karaman province.
ABO Energy cuts costs and accelerates wind project sales
ABO Energy maintains its annual targets despite a drop in half-year profit, relying on cost-cutting measures and early project sales to secure cash flow.
Energiekontor secures financing for two wind farms totalling 94 MW in Lower Saxony
Energiekontor has closed financing for two wind projects in Verden, with a combined 94 MW, with construction starting this year and commissioning scheduled for 2027.
Seoul excludes foreign turbines in 689 MW offshore wind auction
South Korea has rejected all projects using foreign turbines in its 2025 offshore wind auction, marking a strategic shift in favour of local industry and energy security.
Denmark rejects again 37 offshore wind applications without tender
The Danish Energy Agency confirmed the rejection of 37 feasibility study permit applications, citing European Union state aid rules and lack of competition.
ACEN Australia’s 900 MW wind project secures federal approval
With an AUD$3 billion investment, ACEN launches one of Tasmania’s largest private projects, aiming for commissioning in 2030 and annual supply for 500,000 households.
In France, four citizen-funded wind turbines inject 12.9 MW into the Breton grid
In France, a 12.9 MW wind farm financed by local actors has been commissioned in Martigné-Ferchaud, showcasing an unprecedented model of shared governance between citizens, local authorities and public investment companies.
Five US coastal states challenge Trump over offshore wind projects
The governors of five states urged the Trump administration to maintain permits for threatened offshore wind projects, citing massive investments and jobs at stake in a nascent industry.
Green Wind Renewables launches 450 MW wind project in Western Australia
Green Wind Renewables is developing a 450 MW wind farm in the Wheatbelt region of Australia, with up to 75 turbines and an estimated annual output of 1.5 TWh.
RWE activates 83 megawatts of wind and solar capacity in France
German group RWE has commissioned five new power plants in France, adding 83 MW to its portfolio, following repeated successes in tenders organised by the Energy Regulatory Commission.
Monsoon Wind launches 600 MW and begins electricity exports to Vietnam
The 600 MW onshore wind farm in Laos achieves commercial operation four months early, injecting power into Vietnam via a 500 kV interconnection and consolidating an international financing package of $950mn.
Equinor injects up to $939mn to support Ørsted’s capital increase
Equinor confirms its participation in Ørsted’s capital increase, aiming to maintain its 10% stake and support the financial stability of the Danish group facing headwinds in offshore wind.
Mitsubishi withdraws from three offshore wind projects due to regulatory and economic constraints
Facing unforeseen cost increases and a tightening regulatory environment, Mitsubishi Corporation is pulling out of three offshore wind projects, casting doubt on Japan's renewable energy ambitions.
Polenergia commits 323 millions USD to offshore and storage projects
With 323 millions USD in cash, Polenergia strengthens its investments in offshore wind, solar and storage, targeting more than 2.3 GW of new energy capacity in Poland.
Valorem inaugurates 313 MW wind farm in Finland with 1 TWh annual output
French group Valorem has commissioned the ViIatti wind complex in Finland, made up of two farms totalling 313 MW and an estimated annual output of 1 TWh.
Trump Suspends $9.4 Billion Offshore Wind Project in the United States
The Revolution Wind project, already 80% complete, has been halted by the U.S. administration over national security concerns, creating major uncertainty in the sector.
Quebec allocates $1.5M to meet the demand for wind turbine technicians
Quebec funds a mobile training unit to address the shortage of wind turbine maintenance technicians, estimated at 400 positions by 2029.
Washington launches national security probe into imported wind turbines
The United States Department of Commerce is assessing the strategic impact of wind turbine imports amid rising tariffs and supply chain tensions.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.