Tokyo Gas invests in WindFloat Atlantic floating offshore windfarm

In a statement, Ocean Winds said the investment “marks a new collaboration milestone between Tokyo Gas and Ocean Winds, who are already co-shareholders of Principle Power, a leading-edge technology company for floating foundations, with the perspective of developing floating offshore wind in Japan.”

It also represents Tokyo Gas’s first direct investment in a floating offshore wind project outside Japan.

WindFloat Atlantic was the world’s first semi-submersible floating offshore windfarm, with 8.4-MW wind turbines, with Ocean Winds as its majority owner, developer and operator since 2020. It employs WindFloat technology developed by Principle Power.

Tokyo Gas vice president and chief technology officer Kimoto Kentaro said, “Ocean Winds is not only a pioneer in floating offshore wind but also a global player in offshore wind energy. We are pleased to strengthen our collaborative relationship with Ocean Winds through our participation in WindFloat Atlantic. Moving forward, we will leverage the knowledge gained from this collaboration to work towards the large-scale commercialization of floating offshore wind in Japan.”

Ocean Winds chief executive Craig Windram said, “We are thrilled to welcome our well-known partner Tokyo Gas to our journey of more than 10 years in developing, building and now operating WindFloat Atlantic.

“We look forward to working together, as we strengthen our relationship around our common goal of developing floating offshore wind as a key source of clean power for the energy transition and as a catalyst for a strong and sustainable industry in the future.

“This collaboration has the potential to advance floating offshore wind development in Japan, contribute to the country’s renewable energy goals and foster a resilient and environmentally conscious energy landscape for future generations.”