Overview

Offshore wind power holds great potential as a renewable energy in Japan, and high expectations have been especially placed on floating offshore wind. Japanese government announced the target for the development of offshore wind power to be set 30 to 45 GW by 2040.

Achieving the above target would clearly require the build-out of port infrastructure including base ports and offshore work bases equipped with advanced features and functionalities, which enable developers as well as contractors and suppliers involved in offshore wind construction to achieve large-scale and rapid construction of floating offshore wind.

In European countries, the offshore wind industry has benefited from a long-standing experience of the oil and gas industry and the port infrastructure developed through the offshore wind construction over the past three decades. As wind turbines get larger, we find it paramount to develop port infrastructure suitable for natural and social conditions unique to Japan.

The Floating Offshore Wind Construction System Technology Research Association (FLOWCON) has been established by participating all specialist companies in the fields of construction, steel engineering, shipbuilding and lifting machinery. Together, FLOWCON will aim at achieving large-scale and rapid construction of floating offshore wind at a reasonable construction cost comparable to bottom-fixed construction, from the standpoint of offshore construction.

Further, by working with the Floating Offshore Wind Technology Research Association (FLOWRA), which is led by the developers, FLOWCON will endeavor to contribute to the expansion of floating offshore wind.

We thank you for your support and cooperation.

Floating Offshore Wind Construction System Technology Research Association 【Abbreviation:FLOWCON】

January 20, 2025

For the purpose of establishing a rational construction system for large amounts of floating offshore wind constructions, Floating Offshore Wind Construction System Technology Research Association (FLOWCON) was founded with seven initial members: construction companies with track records in offshore construction, a steel engineering company with track records in design, fabrication, and installation of marine steel structure, a manufacturer of lifting machinery including various large cranes, and a company with track records in design and fabrication of floating steel structure.