The two companies said floating wind is better-suited to Japan’s deep waters than traditional fixed-bottom foundations, and using concrete would enable them to cut costs.
Taisei specialises in marine construction, including the development of concrete barges, and is currently building the flagship stadium for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, Ideol recently signed an agreement with Japanese renewable energy developer Shizen Energy to develop a commercial-scale floating wind farm off Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost island.
It would use Ideol’s floating technology, which encircles water inside a ring to reduce movements around the platform.
The French company’s floating platform has been deployed at pilot projects off Japan and France.
Japan currently has 65MW of offshore wind capacity installed, according to Windpower Intelligence, the research and data division of Windpower Monthly.
Its ministry of economy, trade and industry is currently preparing regulatory details for an auction of offshore wind development zones.
