JFE rolls out Japan’s first homegrown offshore wind monopile

JFE Engineering has completed what it says is Japan’s first domestically manufactured monopile for a commercial offshore wind development, rolling out the first foundation for the 315 MW Oga-Katagami-Akita project.

The foundation was completed at JFE’s Kasaoka monopile plant in Okayama prefecture, with the company marking the milestone on August 26. The first unit is about 80 metres long, up to 11 metres in diameter and weighs around 2,000 tonnes.

JFE is working under a contract from Kajima covering the manufacture and transport of 21 monopiles and transition pieces. Production and deliveries are scheduled to run through March 2027, with the package requiring around 43,000 tonnes of steel.

The offshore wind farm is being developed by a consortium comprising JERA Nex bp Japan, J-Power, Tohoku Electric Power and Itochu. It will feature 21 Vestas 15 MW-class turbines.

In May, Belgian marine contractor DEME, through Japan Offshore Marine and alongside Penta-Ocean Construction, secured the turbine installation work, with the Sea Challenger due to carry out offshore installation in the second half of 2027. Splash has also covered NYK’s CTV contract for the same development.

JFE commissioned its Kasaoka factory in 2024 and describes it as Japan’s only domestic monopile manufacturing base. The facility has capacity to produce around 50 large monopiles a year.

More information:https://splash247.com/jfe-rolls-out-japans-first-homegrown-offshore-wind-monopile/