Commercial operation started for 16.8 MW Floating Wind Project in Japan

The Goto Floating Wind Farm consortium has begun commercial operation of the 16.8 MW Goto offshore wind farm, located in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. The facility, supported by a group of shareholders including Toda, Eneos, and Kansai Electric, is Japan’s first commercially operating floating offshore wind project to receive certification under the Marine Renewable Energy Sea-Area Utilization Act. The wind farm employs a hybrid spar-type floating foundation featuring a steel upper structure and a concrete lower section, which was designed and constructed by Toda Corporation. 

The facility, operated by Goto Floating Wind Farm LLC — a consortium including TODA Corporation, ENEOS Renewable Energy, Osaka Gas, INPEX, Kansai Electric Power and Chubu Electric Power — consists of eight 2.1 MW turbines mounted on hybrid spar-type floating foundations with steel upper sections and concrete lower sections, a design pioneered by TODA and representing the world’s first commercial use of this technology. Many local companies participated in the construction of the wind farm. Local companies are also expected to be involved in the wind farm’s operations and maintenance. In keeping with the principle of local energy production for local consumption, the electricity generated will be supplied preferentially to local retail electricity providers.