MOL and its group company Hokutaku Co., Ltd. have completed the construction of a training facility specializing in practical operation and maintenance of offshore wind power generation on the premises of Hokutaku's Kyushu Branch. A completion ceremony was held at the new facility today, according to MOL's release.
This is the first training facility in Japan to use the transition piece, which is the connection between the foundation of an offshore wind turbine and the wind turbine tower. The facility will be able to provide maintenance training, assuming risks specific to offshore wind power generation, based on Hokutaku's expertise in maintenance and case studies from Europe, which is the leading player in the offshore wind power generation business.
The training course is not limited to Hokutaku's own maintenance engineers but is open to all those involved in offshore wind power maintenance. It will contribute to the development of the offshore wind industry by training personnel who can operate the power plant safely and reliably over the long term. In addition, MOL and Hokutaku aim to become the partners of choice for the entire offshore wind power value chain, by combining the strengths of both companies.
Through the Hokutaku-MOL Wind Energy Investment Limited Partnership, jointly established by MOL and Hokutaku, the two companies are executing an investment in Hokutaku Corporation, a special purpose company that owns a 10% stake in Hibiki Wind Energy Co., Ltd. Hibiki Wind Energy is pursuing the construction of the Kitakyushu-Hibikinada Offshore Wind Farm, one of the largest offshore wind projects in Japan, targeting start of commercial operation by the end of fiscal 2025. The Port of Kitakyushu has been designated as a base port for offshore wind power generation, and the "Green Energy Port Hibiki" project is backed by Kitakyushu City with the goal of creating a cluster of wind power generation and other energy-related industries, expanding the supply chain as a base for offshore wind power generation in western Japan.
Hokutaku was established in 1982, and its vice president, Satoru Yoshida, focused on wind turbine operation and maintenance at the dawn of the industry and started the wind turbine maintenance business in 1999. To date, the company has offered a wide range of services, leveraging its many years of experience, for all manufacturers in both onshore and offshore wind power installations. Hokutaku is the only third-party wind power maintenance company with a strong network of major domestic and international suppliers and outstanding know-how and experience.
MOL, established in 1884 and headquartered in Tokyo, is one of the world's leading ocean shipping companies, operating about 800 vessels worldwide. It is developing various social infrastructure businesses, technologies, and services centered on marine transport to meet the ever-changing needs of society, such as environmental protection. MOL's fleet includes dry bulkers, LNG carriers, car carriers, and tankers. In addition to the traditional shipping business, it is also developing social infrastructure businesses such as terminals, logistics, and offshore wind power, as well as wellbeing businesses such as real property, cruises, and ferries.