Bombora partners up with MOL to explore marine energy options in Japan

Bombora Wave Power has entered into agreement with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) to identify marine energy project opportunities in Japan and the neighbouring regions.

Following the completion of a detailed internal technology review of Bombora’s mWave wave energy converter by the global marine transport group, MOL and Bombora are now progressing to the second phase of their collaboration.

The partnership will identify potential sites for both mWave energy projects and combined wind and mWave energy projects in and around Japan, according to Bombora.

MOL will bring its expertise in maritime consultation, offshore marine operations, and regional industry supply chain knowledge to the joint study. This will match Bombora’s mWave technology and project development experience to form a strong working partnership.

Ryota Yamada, Bombora’s Development Manager for the Asia Pacific region, said: “We are very pleased to be conducting this strategic site identification project with MOL. The study will seek out opportunities suitable for wave, as well as hybrid wave and wind projects.

“MOL has a clear ambition to expand its sustainable marine operations into the energy sector and are a significant collaboration partner for Bombora on this pathfinder wave energy initiative in Japan. We know that there is excellent wave resource to be found around this coastline. Having a partner with the expertise of MOL alongside us will help progress projects in this region“.

MOL operates one of the world’s largest merchant fleets and is dedicated to minimising the environmental impact of its business activities and reducing its carbon footprint.

The rapidly growing marine renewable energy sector represents a new opportunity for MOL, and it is anticipating significant demand for vessels involved in the construction and ongoing operations across the marine energy sector, the company said.

“With a focus on carbon emission reduction we will work together to find potential development sites for Bombora’s mWave to reduce reliance on diesel fuel for island communities. The project will also investigate the broader utility power potential off Japan’s Pacific coastline”, Yamada added.

Japan aims to install between 30GW and 45GW of offshore wind by 2040 as part of the country’s aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. The ministry of economy, trade and industry (Meti) also set an interim target of 10GW by 2030.

The Japanese Wind Power Association claims a potential of more than 500GW of floating offshore wind capacity in Japan alone, positioning it as one of the world’s most promising and dynamic new offshore energy markets.

The partnership between MOL and Bombora will analyse the opportunity to capitalise on this growth potential by adding wave energy into offshore wind farms to increase energy production.

To remind, Bombora is currently in the final assembly phase of its 1.5MW mWave Pembrokeshire Demonstration Project in Wales with installation scheduled for mid-2021.