The Future of Floating Offshore Wind in East Asia
As the world seeks sustainable energy solutions, floating offshore wind in Asia is emerging as a game-changer. This innovative technology allows wind farms to be installed in deeper waters, opening up vast new areas for renewable energy production. Countries like South Korea and Taiwan are leading the charge, with ambitious plans to harness the power of offshore winds to meet their growing energy needs and reduce carbon emissions.
The future of floating offshore wind in Asia looks promising, driven by technological advancements and supportive policies. This article will explore the current state of floating offshore wind projects in the region, including the groundbreaking Goto City floating offshore wind farm in Japan. It will also examine the key factors propelling growth, such as improvements in turbine design and installation methods. Additionally, the piece will delve into the policy and regulatory landscape shaping the industry's development, highlighting the role of governments and floating offshore wind companies in driving this renewable energy revolution.
Current State of Floating Offshore Wind in East Asia
The East Asia and Pacific region holds immense potential for floating offshore wind energy, with an estimated technical capacity of over 15,000 GW. Of this, approximately 27% is suitable for bottom-fixed foundations, while the remainder is ideal for floating technologies. As of the end of 2023, the operational offshore wind capacity in the region amounted to just over 32 GW, with China leading the charge as the world's largest offshore wind market.
Japan's Offshore Wind Revolution
Japan, recognising its vast offshore wind potential, has set ambitious targets to harness this renewable energy source. The country aims to achieve up to 10 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and up to 45 GW by 2040. To facilitate this growth, the Japanese government has implemented reforms to support the construction of offshore wind farms around the country.
In March 2024, Prime Minister Kishida's government approved amendments to the act regarding the utilisation of marine areas. These amendments are expected to allow floating offshore wind development in Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which is 12 times larger than its landmass. This expansion has the potential to increase Japan's offshore wind capacity significantly, with estimates suggesting a combined potential of 733 GW in the territorial sea and EEZ.
The development of floating offshore wind in Japan's EEZ has the potential to deliver numerous benefits, including expanding domestic hydrogen supply, bolstering manufacturing prowess, and creating job opportunities. The Japan Wind Energy Association estimates that installing 140 GW of wind capacity by 2050 could create 355,000 jobs and save JPY 2.5 trillion (USD 16.2 billion) by reducing fossil fuel imports.
South Korea's Ambitious Projects
South Korea has made significant strides in developing its offshore wind energy sector. The country's Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy (MOTIE) has launched key initiatives to bolster renewable energy capacity, including a public-led project and a comprehensive roadmap aimed at transforming offshore wind in South Korea.
The government has set an ambitious target to build 12 GW of installed capacity by 2030 through the Renewable Energy 2030 Implementation Plan. This target has the potential to drive the growth of a substantial market, comparable to strong European markets such as the Netherlands.
One of the flagship projects in South Korea is the MunmuBaram Floating Offshore Wind Project, based in Ulsan. This project has recently completed its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), securing approval from both MOTIE and the Ministry of Environment. Additionally, the city of Incheon has been selected for the '2024 Public-Led Large Scale Offshore Wind Development Support Project', which aims to establish offshore wind farms with a total capacity of 2.0 GW.
China's Early Adoption
China has emerged as a powerhouse in the offshore wind sector, leading the world in terms of offshore wind power capacity. The country has made significant progress in harnessing greater wind power with floating wind turbines located further out to sea and in deeper waters.
In 2021, China constructed three times as much offshore wind farm capacity as the rest of the world combined, adding 8 GW of new capacity. This rapid growth has propelled China to overtake the UK as the world's leading country in terms of offshore wind power capacity, with China standing at 17 GW, a figure that more than doubled in 2021.
China's first domestically produced floating wind turbine, the Fúyáo, was installed at a demonstration project off the coast of Guangdong Province in June 2022. The floating platform has a total length of 72 metres with a wind turbine of 6.2 MW capacity and an average operational depth of 65 metres.
As the floating offshore wind sector continues to evolve in East Asia, these countries are poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of renewable energy in the region and beyond.
Technological Advancements Driving Growth
The floating offshore wind sector in Asia is experiencing rapid growth, driven by significant technological advancements. These innovations are enhancing the efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of floating wind projects, making them increasingly viable for large-scale deployment.
Innovations in Floating Platforms
Floating platforms are at the heart of this revolutionary technology, allowing wind turbines to be installed in deeper waters where wind resources are more abundant. Companies like Equinor and Principle Power are leading the charge in developing innovative floating foundation designs. Equinor's Wind Semi, a semisubmersible wind turbine, has been designed to provide optimal stability and power production while facilitating large-scale industrialisation of floating wind. Principle Power's WindFloat® portfolio offers four modular designs suitable for various project contexts and supply chain setups.
These platforms are becoming more sophisticated, incorporating features such as patented floater motion controllers to ensure stability and optimal power production. The use of simple geometry designs and passive ballast systems is resulting in cost-optimal units with maximum reliability. Additionally, advancements in mooring systems, including the introduction of fibre rope solutions, are lowering costs and enhancing opportunities for local content.
Improved Turbine Efficiency
Wind turbine technology has seen remarkable progress over the years, contributing significantly to the growth of floating offshore wind. Since the early 2000s, wind turbines have grown substantially in size, with both hub heights and blade lengths increasing dramatically. This growth has led to a significant boost in energy generation capacity.
The average hub height for offshore wind turbines in the United States is projected to reach about 150 metres by 2035, comparable to the height of the Washington Monument. Taller towers allow turbines to capture stronger, more consistent winds at higher altitudes. Simultaneously, rotor diameters have expanded considerably, with the average diameter of newly-installed wind turbines exceeding 133.8 metres in 2023. Larger rotor diameters enable wind turbines to sweep more area, capturing more wind and producing more electricity, even in areas with relatively less wind.
These advancements have resulted in a substantial increase in turbine capacity. The average capacity of newly installed U.S. wind turbines in 2023 was 3.4 megawatts, a 375% increase since 1998-1999. Higher capacity turbines mean fewer turbines are needed to generate the same amount of energy across a wind plant, ultimately leading to lower costs.
Grid Connexion Solutions
As floating offshore wind farms move further from shore, efficient grid connexion solutions become crucial. Companies like Siemens Energy are developing comprehensive transmission systems to meet these challenges. They offer a range of solutions, from small modular HVDC power from shore applications to full-scale +1 GW floating HVDC solutions.
Innovations in this area include floating substations optimised for minimal environmental impact and based on long-term proven high-voltage technology. These solutions are designed to handle the unique challenges of connecting floating wind farms to onshore grids, ensuring efficient power transmission over long distances.
Furthermore, advancements in cable technology are improving the reliability and efficiency of power transmission from offshore wind farms. Optimised dynamic cable solutions and new types of cable layouts are reducing investment and maintenance costs while securing high power production.
These technological advancements are playing a crucial role in driving the growth of floating offshore wind in Asia. By improving efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, they are helping to unlock the vast potential of offshore wind resources in the region, contributing to the transition towards cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.
Policy and Regulatory Landscape
The growth of floating offshore wind in Asia is significantly influenced by the policy and regulatory frameworks established by governments in the region. These frameworks play a crucial role in shaping the industry's development and attracting investment.
Government Targets and Incentives
Several Asian countries have set ambitious targets for offshore wind development, including floating offshore wind projects. Japan, for instance, aims to achieve up to 10 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and up to 45 GW by 2040. The Japanese government has implemented reforms to support the construction of offshore wind farms, including amendments to the act regarding the utilisation of marine areas.
South Korea has also demonstrated strong commitment to offshore wind energy. The government's Renewable Energy 2030 Implementation Plan sets a target of building 12 GW of installed capacity by 2030. While there are no specific targets for floating offshore wind, the country sees this technology as a way to revitalise its declining shipbuilding industry and create new job opportunities.
To encourage participation in offshore wind power projects, the South Korean government has announced a renewable energy certificates (REC) weighting plan. This scheme requires power producers with over 500MW of capacity to gradually increase their share of renewable energy in their generation portfolio.
Taiwan has set its sights on increasing the proportion of renewable energy in its power supply to 60-70 percent by 2050, as outlined in its 'Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions in 2050' plan. However, the country's offshore wind market has faced challenges, with only half of the 2035 capacity aspiration currently awarded.
Regulatory Frameworks
The development of effective regulatory frameworks is crucial for the growth of floating offshore wind in Asia. Japan has made significant progress in this area by changing its Ports and Harbour Law to enable offshore wind farm developers to occupy zones within Japanese territorial waters close to existing ports. This change led to the development of the first large-scale commercial offshore wind farm near the Akita and Noshiro Ports.
In South Korea, the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) scheme is the primary mechanism for supporting offshore wind development. This scheme requires organisations owning generating facilities with a capacity greater than 500 MW to produce at least 5% of their power from renewable sources, with this proportion set to increase to 10% by 2023.
However, challenges remain in the regulatory landscape. In some countries, there is a lack of clear processes for the delivery of offshore wind projects to back up ambitious targets. Issues such as unclear leasing and consenting responsibilities within government and regional agencies, and potential conflicts between involved agencies, need to be addressed.
International Cooperation
International cooperation has emerged as a key factor in driving the growth of floating offshore wind in Asia. Countries in the region are leveraging expertise from established European markets to fast-track their development. For example, Japan has entered partnerships with Denmark and Norway to benefit from their strong track record in offshore wind.
The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) has highlighted the importance of international cooperation in its recommendations. The council suggests that G7 members cooperate with IRENA's Collaborative Framework to collect and disseminate key trends and learnings from floating offshore wind. Additionally, there is a need for continued development of joint R&D programmes and projects on floating offshore wind.
As the floating offshore wind industry is still in its nascent stage, there is a unique opportunity for the international community to work together symbiotically. This collaboration can help make the technology commercially viable as soon as possible, accelerating the transition to cleaner energy sources in Asia and beyond.
Conclusion
The rapid growth of floating offshore wind in East Asia has a significant impact on the renewable energy landscape. Countries like Japan, South Korea, and China are leading the way with ambitious targets and groundbreaking projects. Technological breakthroughs in floating platforms, turbine efficiency, and grid connexions are making these projects more feasible and cost-effective. This progress is paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable energy future in the region.
Government support and international cooperation are playing a crucial role to drive the industry forward. Clear regulatory frameworks and incentives are essential to attract investment and ensure the long-term success of floating offshore wind projects. As the technology continues to advance and costs decrease, floating offshore wind is poised to become a major player in Asia's energy mix, contributing significantly to the region's renewable energy goals and economic growth.
