ClassNK and Carbon Trust ink Japanese offshore agreement
ClassNK and the Carbon
Trust have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) targeting offshore
wind power generation in Japan.
This agreement aims to help ClassNK and the Carbon Trust to collaborate
on assisting national initiatives to improve progress in areas that support
the implementation of offshore wind projects. This includes the acceleration
of industrial development and technical innovation, regulatory and policy
reform, standardisation and increasing skills in the industry.
In December 2020, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
published its Green Growth Strategy, which includes the offshore wind industry
as one of 14 sectors expected to grow. In addition, the Public-Private
Council has established the Vision for Offshore Wind Power Industry which
aims to enhance the competitiveness of the offshore wind sector, accelerate
efforts to promote effective and efficient R&D and strengthen the supply
chain to reach the target of 10GW by 2030 and 30-45GW by 2040.
J.Hirata, General Manager of Innovation and Sustainability Centre at ClassNK,
commented: “Offshore wind power is one of the key measures identified
to achieve the 2050 Net Zero declaration in Japan. ClassNK has so far contributed
to the safe construction of offshore wind projects by confirming safety
and reliability from a technical perspective under the collaboration with
the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), and other authorities. Having
recognised the substantial role the Carbon Trust has played in promoting
the offshore wind industry in the UK and Europe, we are glad to sign this
momentous MOU.”
Jan Matthiesen, Director Offshore Wind at the Carbon Trust, added: “The
Carbon Trust has been at the forefront of accelerating progress in the
offshore wind industry since 2008, working closely with industry and governments
to inform policy, support technology development and deliver cost reductions.
In recent years, our expertise has enabled us to work with government departments
and organisations in Japan and we are excited to build on this experience
through our agreement with ClassNK. As Japan’s ‘Vision for Offshore Wind
Power Industry’ has been announced, it is clear that the government is
making good progress in establishing an industry that has the potential
to be transformational.”
