Mott MacDonald Backs Japan’s First Offshore Wind Farm

Mott MacDonald supported the developer during the tendering and procurement phase for the offshore balance of plant (BoP) contract and further conducted technical, commercial, environmental and social due diligence to achieve financial close.

The consultancy said it will continue its involvement during the construction and operational phases of the project.

Akita is said to be the first commercial-scale Japanese offshore wind farm to secure non-recourse debt financing from a syndicate of Japanese lenders.

“This project is a great achievement and first for Japan – and with participation of local stakeholders, it paves the way for development of the Japanese offshore wind industry supply chain,” said Isao Terasawa, Mott MacDonald Japan Business Development Manager.

“We were able to transfer and apply best practice and knowledge from our European and global offshore wind projects into the procurement and due diligence process, which will serve as a benchmark for future in-country projects.”

The Akita project will comprise two wind farms that will feature turbines installed on bottom-fixed foundations and will have a combined capacity of 140MW.

The construction of the onshore substations and transmission lines is scheduled to start this month, and the commercial operations are expected in Q4 2022.