The Iwafune offshore wind farm project will be built in Murakami City, Niigata prefecture.
A feasibility study for the project is in progress targeting 2,700ha of sea, with 10m to 35m of water depth, in the Iwafune offshore area, some 2km off the coast of Murakami City.
The consortium has started technical and commercial planning for 44 bottom-mounted offshore wind turbines, each with a capacity of 5,000kW for a total of about 220,000kW.
A special purpose company (SPC) will be established in 2015 based on the results of the feasibility study.
Manufacturing of equipment is due to commence in 2020 while operations are expected to begin in 2024.
The project, which is expected to cost JPY100bn ($852m), will feature between 40 and 50 turbines that will annually generate enough energy for about 170,000 local households.
Hitachi Zose will be responsible for foundation and overall design. Mitsubishi and Venti-Japan will carry out business development and operations.
Sumitomo Electric Industries will undertake transmission cables, substations and other installations. Hitachi Capital will be responsible for financing and operations.
Wind turbine performance and installation will be undertaken by Hitachi. TOA and HONMA will build the project.
The Daishi Bank and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi will provide financing for the project.
Image: A feasibility study for the Iwafune offshore wind farm project is underway. Photo: Courtesy of xedos4/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
