Sumitomo Electric Starts Construction of Japan’s First Commercial Offshore Wind Farms

Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. and Kajima Corporation jointly started the full-scale construction of offshore wind farms at Akita Port and Noshiro Port in Akita Prefecture in February 2020. These are the first large-scale commercial offshore wind farms in Japan.

Until now, all offshore wind farms operated in Japan have been constructed as demonstration experiments conducted under public support and subsequently transferred to private companies. By contrast, for the first time in Japan, offshore wind farms in this project will be developed and operated by a private company, Akita Offshore Wind Corporation, on a commercial basis. A total of 33 bottom-fixed offshore wind turbines will be installed in Akita Port and Noshiro Port, with the total power generation capacity of 140 MW becoming the largest of its kind in the country. Sumitomo Electric is in charge of the design, production and installation work of submarine cables for power transmission from the wind turbines to land with the aim of completion in 2022. Sumitomo Electric will be putting a great deal of effort into the business of submarine cables for offshore wind farms in Japan while making use of its wealth of experience and expertise in the supply and installation of submarine cables for system interconnection and offshore wind farms both inside and outside Japan.

Outline of the wind farms

Operating company:  Akita Offshore Wind Corporation
Locations:  Akita City and Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture (Akita Port and Noshiro Port)
Power generation capacity:  About 140 MW
Generation type:  Bottom-fixed offshore wind farm
Number of wind turbines:  Akita Port: 13, Noshiro Port: 20 (Total: 33)
Design, procurement, and construction: Kajima-Sumitomo Electric Joint Venture (foundations and submarine cables)
Construction period:  February 2020 to December 2022

The Sumitomo Electric Group aims to provide total solutions for every electric power process between power plants and users, such as transmission, distribution, receiving, transformation and storage, thereby contributing to the introduction of renewable energies and the realization of a smart energy society.