Kitakyushu Port

Location

The wind farm is situated in the Hibikinada Sea, off the coast of Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu City. It spans an area of 1-10 km from north to south and 11 km from east to west.

Project Overview

• The Kitakyushu Hibikinada Offshore Wind Farm is set to be the largest offshore wind farm in Japan upon its completion, in terms of generating output power scale.
• The project involves the construction and operation of 25 bottom-fixed offshore wind turbines, each with a unit capacity of 9.6 MW, totaling a maximum output of 220 MW.

Turbines and Infrastructure

• The wind farm will use 25 Vestas 9.6 MW turbines. Each turbine has a three-bladed rotor with a diameter of 174 meters and is supported by a 110-meter tall steel tower mounted on a four-legged steel lattice structure (jacket) anchored to the seabed by piles.
• The project includes offshore works for wind turbine generator (WTG) foundations, submarine cables, and WTG installations. Additionally, onshore works involve WTG pre-assembly and substation construction.

Construction and Operation Schedule

• Pile installation work began in November 2023 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
• Cable laying will take place from July 2024 to September 2025.
• Turbine installation and commissioning are scheduled for the second and third quarters of 2025.
• The substation construction is expected to be completed, and the first electricity is anticipated to flow in March 2026.

Energy Generation and Impact

• The wind farm is expected to annually generate 500 million kWh of electricity, which is sufficient to supply power for approximately 170,000 households. This amount is equivalent to about 40% of the households in Kitakyushu City.

Project Developers and Financing

• The project is being developed by a consortium of Japanese companies, including Hibiki Wind Energy, with participation from companies like Kyuden Mirai, J-POWER, Saibu Gas, and Kyudenko.
• Financing for the project was co-arranged by Mizuho Bank, Ltd., MUFG Bank, Ltd., and Development Bank of Japan, Inc., along with 34 other lenders.

Local Community and Industry Engagement

• The project has involved extensive consultations and communication with local businesses, fishermen, and citizens. This includes organizing seminars and briefing sessions to ensure community understanding and support.
• The project also benefits from the cooperation of local manufacturers for wind turbines, foundations, and transmission cables.

Training and Maintenance

• To support the project, a training facility specializing in the practical operation and maintenance of offshore wind power has been completed in the Port of Kitakyushu. This facility, built by MOL and Hokutaku, is the first in Japan to use a transition piece for training purposes and aims to develop skilled personnel for the offshore wind industry.

Role in Japan's Renewable Energy

• The Kitakyushu Hibikinada Offshore Wind Farm is a significant step in Japan's efforts to develop its offshore wind energy industry. It is expected to establish core capabilities for a domestic offshore renewables industry, which can meet the demand for green energy in Japan and potentially neighboring countries.

This project not only contributes to Japan's decarbonization goals but also serves as a model for future offshore wind projects in the country, highlighting the collaboration between Japanese companies and the adaptation of international expertise to local conditions.