Floating Wind: French, Japanese Firms Partner

French floating foundations developer Ideol and Japanese renewable specialist Shizen Energy have signed an agreement to jointly develop a commercial-scale floating offshore wind project (OWF) off the coasts of Kyushu in Japan.

The agreement was signed in Tokyo today by Paul de la Guérivière, CEO of Ideol, and Masaya Hasegawa, Representative Director of Shizen Energy, during the state visit of Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic. Bruno Le Maire, French Minister of Economy, attended the signing ceremony.

The wind farm will use Ideol's damping pool technology by, and Shizen will offer its local project development experience.

While the companies are currently examining the implementation of floating offshore wind power projects in Kyushu, they are also considering expanding the partnership to other regions in the future.

“With our two full-scale demonstrators in operation in France and in Japan, as well as a pre-commercial wind farm under development in the French Mediterranean, Ideol and its patented Damping Pool technology are at the forefront of a cost competitive and rapidly accelerating floating offshore wind industry,” said Paul de la Guérivière, CEO of Ideol.

Masaya Hasegawa, founder of Shizen Energy said, “Working on floating wind projects in Japan means to expand the country’s potential of renewable energy significantly, as the country is surrounded by sea areas with deep water and complex geographies. This is especially valuable challenge for Shizen Energy, aim to co-create 100% renewable-powered world. We believe that our collaboration will accelerate the potential of renewable energy in Japan.”