Akita Noshiro offshore wind farm : Vestas installing 33 V117-4.2 MW turbines

Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas said that it will be installing 33 V117-4.2 MW turbines for the 139MW Akita Noshiro offshore wind farm project of Akita Offshore Wind Corporation.

Akita Noshiro is set to become the first utility-scale offshore wind project in Japan. It will see an investment of JPY 100bn ($880 million).

The Danish turbine maker said that it has manufactured all the blades, nacelles, and most of the tower sections required for the Japanese offshore wind project, as per an announcement made in October 2021.

The Akita Noshiro offshore wind farm comprises the Akita and Noshiro winds farms.

Vestas said that the delivery of the wind turbine components for the Akita Noshiro offshore wind farm project is likely to arrive at Akita Port in December 2021.

The company’s team will start the turbine installation at the pre-assembly area of Akita Port, where full assembly, which includes internals of the towers, blade preparation, and a final power test of the nacelles, will be undertaken.

Vestas installing 33 V117-4.2 MW turbines for the Akita Noshiro offshore wind farm. Photo courtesy of Vestas.

Vestas revealed that under ideal conditions, the pre-assembly stage will involve the use of five streamlined crane lifts during the offshore installation for the turbines of the Akita Noshiro offshore wind farm project. This will involve all turbine components, including the turbine blades. Mobilization of the pre-assembly area at Akita Port will begin this month, said the Danish win turbine manufacturer.

Netoshi Kuriyama — Country Manager of Vestas Japan and Representative Director of Vestas Japan said: “Through our partnership with Akita Offshore Wind Corporation, development of the Akita Noshiro Offshore Wind Farm Project will allow Vestas to bring our world-leading offshore experience to Japan’s promising market.

“Along with newly created jobs, we will be drawing on the expertise of the country’s best local service providers, some of which will make up our long-term network of supplier partnerships.”

Once operational, the Akita Noshiro offshore wind farm project is expected to meet the power consumption needs of approximately 130,000 homes.

Purvin Patel — President of Vestas Asia Pacific said: “Japan is one of Vestas’ priority markets and we will continue to work closely with our customers, local community, and the government to propel the country’s clean energy transition through our best-in-class energy solutions.

“This will be achieved through our Vision for Japan 2040, which based on the volume of projects, may include R&D and manufacturing engineering initiatives, long-term Service Hubs, a strong local supplier network and the availability of Vestas’ largest wind turbine, the V236-15.0 MW.”