Japan Looks to Denmark for Wind Energy Experience

30 August 2017

In a DKK multi-billion project, Japan is preparing for the construction of more than 10 offshore wind farms at various sites around the country – two of these wind farms are currently under construction near the city of Fukushima. Wanting to ensure the best possible results, Japanese stakeholders are looking to Denmark for insight into its wind industry’s experiences and competences.

Welcome to Denmark and introduction to the Danish transition by Anette Kørschen Brænder, State of Green.

Mutual interest between Japan and Denmark
The interest between the two countries is mutual. In February this year, experts from the Danish wind industry and key Japanese stakeholders met in Tokyo to discuss how Japan can benefit from the Danish experience in offshore wind farms.

Now, delegates from the Japanese wind industry are visiting Denmark to tour relevant sites and meet potential partners. The Danish companies participating the delegation’s programme are Siemens Wind Power, MHI Vestas, DONG Energy, Djurs Wind Power, Falck Safety Services, Fred Olsen Windcarrier, COWI, Ramboll, Nirás, Comtec Int., CNC Onsite, Scanel International, ALL NRG, TVC Law Firm, TP Offshore, Davai, Vestas Wind Systems, Carl Stahl, R&D, Envision Energy, Port of Grenaa, Port of Esbjerg, Global Wind Organisation (GWO) and Danish Wind Industry Association.

The ongoing visit is the second of two visits planned for this year. As more than 60 Japanese representatives registered for the tour, the delegates had to be divided into two separate groups. Both visits are organised by JWPA (General Incorporated Association Japan Wind Power Association), State of Green, DWEA (Danish Wind Export Association) and the Danish Embassy in Japan.

The delegates, who are currently traveling around Denmark, consist primarily of managing directors from companies working within the wind industry in relation to either development, construction, consultancy, insurance or weather services. They are visiting various locations in Denmark including the Port of Esbjerg and Anholt Offshore Wind Farm.

Twenty-three companies in five days
At present, the delegates are almost half-way through their programme.

Their first scheduled visit was to House of Green, State of Green’s interactive showroom and visitors' centre, where they were introduced to Denmark’s green transition, the Danish wind supply chain and the work of GWO (Global Wind Organisation). The delegation showed an immense interest in each presentation, posing many follow-up questions.

The delegation also got a chance to experience Denmark’s offshore wind sector in real life. They went on a sunny boat tour to the offshore wind farm at Middelgrunden, where the farm's 20 turbines each have a capacity of 2 MW, or 40 MW all together.

Visit to the offshore construction jack up ship Bold Tern owned by Fred. Olsen Windcarrier.

The following day, the delegation travelled to the port of Esbjerg, the leading port for wind power in Europe, they visited the offshore construction jack up ship Bold Tern and met with Falck Safety Services to learn more about safety courses in the wind turbine industry.

Visit to Falck Safety Services for an introduction to safety training in the wind turbine industry.

These visits, however, are just the first of many. The Japanese quests can look forward to another three days of seminars, boat tours, company visits and a tour of an offshore construction site before returning to Japan on Friday.

- Download our white paper on wind energy in Denmark