GE Renewable Energy and Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation announced that they have signed a strategic partnership agreement to localize critical phases of the manufacturing process of GE’s Haliade-X offshore wind turbine and to support its commercialization in Japan.
Based on the long-lasting relationship between GE and Toshiba in Japan and beyond, this strategic agreement will help GE’s offshore wind technology to be more competitive in upcoming auctions in Japan. Financial terms and specific details were not disclosed. The two companies said that they will leverage their collective technology, manufacturing facilities and skills, construction, operation, and maintenance expertise as part of the agreement.
The partners
GE Renewable Energy and Toshiba are well positioned to contribute to and benefit from the success of offshore wind in Japan. Toshiba brings local manufacturing capabilities, a highly skilled workforce, strong energy domain expertise including in wind power, and an in-depth knowledge of the Japanese offshore market. GE has the most powerful offshore wind turbine in operation, the engineering and project management experience needed to support complex offshore wind projects, and extensive experience in Japan.
The Haliade-X offshore wind turbine by GE, said to be the most powerful wind turbine in the world, is available in ratings of 14 mw, 13 mw and 12 mw. The turbine has a rotor diameter of 220m and a blade length of 107m. The leading capacity factor of Haliade-X is 60-64 per cent, which is well above industry standards.
Also read: Toshiba’s Telangana Facility Certified As “Japan-India Institute For Manufacturing”
The scope
As part of its green growth strategy for becoming carbon neutral by 2050 the Japanese government plans to award 10 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 with tenders of 1 GW per year. The plan calls for installing 30 to 45 GW of offshore wind turbines, including floating offshore wind turbines, by 2040 in part through the development of a competitive domestic supply chain.
The strategy
As part of the strategic partnership, GE will provide the Haliade-X technology, provide parts and components for nacelle assembly, and support Toshiba in jointly developing a local supply chain as well as completing assembly of the nacelles with best-in-class quality standards. Toshiba will assemble, warehouse, transport Haliade-X nacelles, provide preventative maintenance services and have critical sales and commercial responsibilities for the Japanese market.
Featured photograph shows installation of Haliade-X offshore wind turbine at Rotterdam Port, Netherlands.
