James Fisher and Sons and Tokyo Gas Engineering Solutions (TGES), owned by Tokyo Gas Group, have signed a collaboration agreement to jointly provide construction and operations and maintenance (O&M) services in Japan’s offshore wind market.
Under the agreement, James Fisher and TGES will support the industry in delivering efficient and effective operations at a crucial point in time as a significant number of projects are due to be under construction or operational by the end of 2030, according to a press release from James Fisher.
As reported recently, Japan currently has a little over 150 MW of offshore wind capacity in operation. The Japanese government aims to deploy 10 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and 30-45 GW by 2040, including floating wind, as part of its target to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
James Fisher notes that its James Fisher Renewables team, which has a global portfolio of 6.1 GW, has already delivered 29 offshore wind projects in Asia Pacific through its local Taiwanese office.
The UK-headquartered company says its Balance of Plant (BoP) O&M capability will also play a key role in Japan, along with its knowledge of the offshore wind sector that will complement TGES’s experience in Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and gas-fired power plants, particularly in engineering and O&M.
“James Fisher will provide the guidance, expertise and exceptional services, alongside TGES’ strong engineering expertise, extensive local knowledge and established supply chain, providing customers with high-quality, cost-effective construction support and O&M services,” Jean Vernet , CEO at James Fisher, said.
“This not only builds on our capability to deliver offshore wind services in Japan; it aligns with our long-term ambitions for the Northeast Asia Pacific region.”
Yasuhiro Konishi , CEO at TGES, said: “TGES’ strength in engineering and O&M know-how in energy infrastructure, combined with James Fisher’s extensive capabilities in offshore operations, will provide significant value in terms of low cost and high reliability for offshore wind projects, an important renewable energy source in Japan.”
“The company is committed to contributing to the reduction of environmental impact, the promotion of decarbonisation and the development of a sustainable society by providing significant value in the form of low costs and high reliability for Japan’s important renewable energy source, offshore wind power.”
To further support this partnership, and in response to the growing skills gap facing the offshore wind industry, engineers will be given the opportunity to enrol on the James Fisher Academy Senior Authorised Person (SAP) internal pathway, which equips the employees with the critical skills needed in the offshore wind industry, according to James Fisher.