First batch of monopiles for Akita-Noshiro OWF arrives in Japan

The first nine monopiles for the Akita-Noshiro offshore wind project in Japan arrived in Akita on 12 January after being dispatched from Sif’s terminal in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on board SAL Heavy Lift’s MV Lone vessel in December.

The Dutch foundation manufacturer started the production of 33 monopile foundations for the 139 MW Akita-Noshiro project in May. The transition pieces (TPs) are being manufactured by Smulders, which shipped off the first four TPs from its facility in Hoboken, Belgium, to Rotterdam in November 2020.

The foundation installation, to be carried out by Seajacks, will start this year.

Sif signed the final contract for the monopiles and transition pieces with Kajima Corporation, the project’s EPCI contractor, in March 2020.

“Sif is evaluating the development of the Japanese offshore wind market for some years now. Sif recognises the ongoing development of offshore wind in Japan and therefore has decided to open a sales office in Tokyo in 2019 to study further expansion of Sif’s business activities in Japan. This first delivery of Sif monopiles to Japan is an important milestone for us”, said Fred van Beers, CEO of Sif Holding.

The Akita-Noshiro project comprises two sites off Akita Port and Noshiro Port. Thirteen Vestas V117-4.2 MW typhoon variant turbines will be installed at the Akita site, while the Noshiro site will comprise 20 turbines.