Japanese technology major Toshiba and US conglomerate General Electric plan to build out Japan’s supply chain for domestic offshore wind turbine production, according to local media reports.
The two companies originally teamed up in 2021 to focus on supplying the Japanese offshore wind market. They are now working together to create a network of 100 local suppliers for nacelle components, with a view to starting procurement in 2025, financial newspaper Nikkei reported on 16 July. It said Toshiba is targeting domestic production in 2026.
The company plans to host information sessions for potential suppliers in areas suitable for offshore wind, such as the Akita prefecture in Japan’s north-west, said the Nikkei report. As well as supporting new suppliers to ensure quality control, Toshiba is reported to be planning to build storage facilities for spare parts supply and build up a network of personnel to provide operations and maintenance services.
Japan is currently targeting 10GW of offshore wind by 2030 and up to 45GW by 2040 as it seeks to decarbonise an energy system still heavily reliant on imports of oil, gas, and coal.
Japan finished accepting bids for its second offshore wind tender last month. This tender is for 1.8GW of capacity across four areas, including a 700MW development in the Sea of Japan off Niigata prefecture on the country's west coast, south of Akita.
.png)
.png)
.jpg)
