Akihabara News (Tokyo) — Norway-based StormGeo has been selected by the Kajima Corporation to provide weather forecasting services for the first multi-turbine offshore wind farm in Akita, Japan.
Kajima, which is the operator of the Akita Offshore Wind Corporation, believes that StormGeo can help it safely navigate the twenty-month construction period, which is now underway. The Norwegian firm will assist with weather, wave, and typhoon forecasting.
Koki Taguchi, Kajima’s general project manager, stated, “We chose StormGeo because they are one of the most experienced providers of metocean forecasting services for offshore wind, with more than one hundred offshore wind projects both in and outside of Europe. 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.”
Jostein Maelan, chief operating officer of Weather Insights at StormGeo, added, “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.”
Forecasting will be delivered from StormGeo’s regional weather center in Dubai, and typhoon warnings delivered by StormGeo tropical forecasting center in Houston, Texas. The StormGeo staff in Tokyo will assist in Japanese language translation.
On January 12, the first ship carrying monopiles arrived at Akita Port, with a view to initiate the construction of the offshore foundations next month.
