StormGeo on Weather Forecasting Duty Offshore Japan

Kajima Corporation has contracted StormGeo for the provision of weather forecasting services for the first multi-turbine offshore wind farm in Japan.

Acting on behalf of the project owner, the Akita Offshore Wind Corporation, Kajima Corporation tasked StormGeo with providing the Akita and Noshiro wind farm with weather, wave, and typhoon forecasting in support of the 20-month offshore construction phase.

The offshore construction on the project kicked off in Akita in mid-January 2021.

“We chose StormGeo because they are one of the most experienced providers of metocean forecasting services for offshore wind, with more than 100 offshore wind projects both in and outside of Europe,” General project manager for Kajima, Koki Taguchi, said.

”StormGeo also has Japanese staff located in Japan who will support us locally. StormGeo’s deep industry knowledge, long-term experience in the waters surrounding Japan and decade-long experience in typhoon forecasting make StormGeo the ideal weather service provider for the Akita and Noshiro Wind Farm Project.”

This will be the first weather forecasting assignment in coastal waters in Japan for StormGeo.

Forecasting will be delivered from StormGeo’s regional weather center in Dubai, UAE, and typhoon warnings delivered by StormGeo tropical forecasting center in Houston, Texas. Project management will be provided from Europe, whilst StormGeo staff in Tokyo will assist in adapting the services into Japanese.

“This project is another important milestone for offshore renewables in StormGeo. Building on our many years of experience from both Europe and Taiwan, it is inspiring to be able to contribute to the success and growth of offshore wind in Japan. We very much look forward to working with Kajima,” COO of Weather Insights at StormGeo, Jostein Maelan, said.

The Akita Noshiro will be the first commercial-size fixed bottom wind farm in Japan.

The 139 MW project comprises two sites off Akita Port and Noshiro Port.

13 Vestas V117-4.2MW typhoon variant turbines will be installed at the Akita site, while the Noshiro site will comprise 20 turbines. The commissioning of the wind farm is slated for 2022.