A delegation of thirty Japanese offshore wind companies will visit the Netherlands this week on a fact-finding mission to gain further understanding of the Dutch offshore wind industry strengths and capabilities. Dutch exporters association Holland Home of Wind Energy (HHWE) has invited the Japanese delegation, which is led by the Japan Wind Power Association (JWPA). This mission is a follow-up of the state visit and economic mission to Japan in 2014.
Japan has no domestic fossil fuel reserves and the power situation in Japan after the Fukushima disaster in 2011 has encouraged the Japanese government to search for alternatives. The potential of offshore wind is enormous, but there many challenges to overcome to ensure that offshore wind fulfils its potential. Realization of cost reduction in offshore wind is the priority in the sector for the next few years. Japan and the Netherlands hope to learn from each other to meet this challenge.
The program will include visits to companies like Bow Terminal, Damen Shipyards, ECN, Falck Savety Services, Marin, Royal IHC and Knowledge Centre WMC. Also offshore and near shore projects like wind farm Westermeer wind will be visited.
