JGC Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation have announced a collaborative agreement to explore the development of a supply chain for floating offshore wind power generation. The partnership, formalized on July 26, 2024, aims to address key bottlenecks in the offshore wind industry and contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society.
The collaboration will focus on the detailed design, manufacturing, and delivery of floating structure components for offshore wind turbines. By leveraging the strengths of both companies, the partnership seeks to achieve "cost reduction," "efficiency," and "mass production" in the production and supply system of these critical components.
Key areas of cooperation include:
- Detailed design of floating components based on floating foundation designs
- Identifying and managing steel and shipbuilding manufacturers as partners for component production
- Transportation of floating components to offshore wind power hub ports
The global capacity for floating offshore wind power generation is projected to expand dramatically from about 0.2 GW in 2022 to 269 GW by 2050. This growth is expected to require the construction of approximately 800 new units annually by 2050.
However, the industry faces significant challenges. As wind turbines continue to increase in size, there is a growing demand for the development of suitable floating components. Currently, both the technology for these components and the necessary supply chain are still in developmental stages. The potential inability to meet the increasing demand for floating components is seen as a major bottleneck in the market expansion of floating offshore wind power generation.
JGC Group has been actively pursuing opportunities in the offshore wind power sector since 2018, establishing a specialized department for this purpose. The company has positioned offshore wind power as a key focus area in its long-term management vision "Vision 2040" and its medium-term management plan "BSP2025."
Sumitomo Corporation has also been making significant strides in the offshore wind sector. The company is leading a power generation consortium off the coast of Ejima in Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture. Additionally, Sumitomo has invested in companies owning heavy-lift vessels and vessels for transporting technicians and equipment to wind turbines under construction.
This partnership between JGC Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation represents a strategic move to overcome supply chain challenges in the floating offshore wind power industry.
Source:
JGC Corporation [Press release]
The top image used for illustration only. Not an official image from JGC or Sumitomo Corporation.
