Hibiki
Typhoon-proven since 2018, now in commercial operation off Japan Coast
For Japan, a country in the throes of redefining its energy mix following the Fukushima disaster, the construction and installation of floating wind farms is becoming a strategic requirement. Reducing the cost of floating technology by 2020 is one of the priorities of Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The signing of the partnership agreement between Hitz and BW Ideol reflects this dynamic. In this regard, NEDO has launched a call for tenders to test different floating technologies. Hibiki has experienced several violent typhoons, even in January 2024, and has suffered no damage.
commercial phase SinCe 2025
In 2025, Hibiki entered a new commercial phase. After more than six years of operation as a NEDO demonstrator, and following the completion of the demonstration programme, the turbine transitioned to commercial operation under a consortium led by Glocal, which is responsible for its operation and maintenance. The electricity produced is supplied to Kyushu Electric Power Company. This transition confirms the long-term reliability and operability of BW Ideol's Damping Pool® floating foundation in real conditions.
Objectives
To validate a floating technology with a view to equipping future commercial floating farms that the Japanese want to see installed by 2030.
BW Ideol's scope of work
The NEDO consortium has been built around Ideol's floating technology, which has been identified as the best among cost-cutting technologies. Within the context of this project, BW Ideol has been responsible (on behalf of its partner, Hitachi Zosen) for the design and engineering of two foundations (one in steel and the other in concrete) as well as the support of the construction/installation of one demonstrator.
Schedule
- Design studies : 2015 - 2016
- Certification (class NK) and construction phase of the steel demonstrator : 2017 - 2018
- Commissioning of the steel demonstrator : 2018
- Completion of the NEDO demonstration programme : 2024
- Transition to commercial operation : 2025
Key facts
- Capacity: 3 MW
- Installation site: Kitakyushu
- Water depth: 55 meters
- Key role: Design & engineering of the floater
This project confirms BW Ideol's potential to significantly reduce the costs of offshore wind turbines as well as confirming the performance of its technology under the most demanding of weather conditions (typhoons). Its transition to commercial operation further demonstrates the long-term operability of the Damping Pool® floating foundation.
- Capacity: 3 MW
- Installation site: Kitakyushu
- Water depth: 55 meters
- Key role: Design & engineering of the floater
This project confirms BW Ideol's potential to significantly reduce the costs of offshore wind turbines as well as confirming the performance of its technology under the most demanding of weather conditions (typhoons)
