GE Renewable Energy and Toshiba Energy Systems and Solutions Corporation have signed a strategic partnership agreement to localize critical phases of the manufacturing process of GE’s Haliade-X offshore wind turbine in Japan and to support its commercialization in the country.
The two companies said that they will leverage their collective technology, manufacturing facilities and skills, construction, operation, and maintenance expertise under the agreement.
As part of the strategic partnership, GE will provide the Haliade-X technology , provide parts and components for nacelle assembly, and support Toshiba in jointly developing a local supply chain as well as completing assembly of the nacelles with best-in-class quality standards.
Toshiba will assemble, warehouse, and transport Haliade-X nacelles, provide preventative maintenance services, and have critical sales and commercial responsibilities for the Japanese market.
”GE and Toshiba have known each other for decades and have proven their successful collaboration though numerous partnerships,” John Lavelle , President & CEO, Offshore Wind at GE Renewable Energy, said.
”Toshiba is the strategic partner to help us bring the benefits of offshore wind to Japan. Their local manufacturing capabilities, experience in the energy sector, and outstanding reputation in the market make them an invaluable strategic partner. Together, we are well positioned to support Japan’s ambitions to be a leader in renewable energy and offshore wind in particular.”
The strategic agreement is expected to help GE’s offshore wind technology to be more competitive in upcoming auctions in Japan. Financial terms and specific details were not disclosed.
”As a long-lasting business partner of GE for decades on power systems businesses, Toshiba is best suited to support GE to create another global leader in offshore wind market,’ ‘ Mamoru Hatazaw a, President & CEO of Toshiba Energy Systems and Solutions Corporation, said,
”GE’s Haliade-X is the most powerful offshore wind turbine built and helps to make offshore wind a more cost-effective and competitive source of clean energy. Through this strategic alliance, Toshiba will actively participate in offshore wind projects by supplying reliable products and contribute to the spread of renewable energy in Japan.”
As part of its green growth strategy for becoming carbon neutral by 2050, the Japanese government plans to award 10 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 with tenders of 1 GW per year.
The plan calls for installing 30 to 45 GW of offshore wind turbines, including floating offshore wind turbines, by 2040 in part through the development of a competitive domestic supply chain.
GE plans to start the serial production of the Haliade-X 12+ MW model at the Saint-Nazaire factory in France during the second half of 2021.
The Haliade-X 13 MW offshore wind turbine will be used in the first two phases of the Dogger Bank Wind Farm, with a total of 190 units to be installed off the UK starting in 2023. The 1.2 GW Dogger Bank C will feature Haliade-X turbines with a power output of 14 MW.
The Haliade-X technology has also been selected by Ørsted as the preferred wind turbine for the 120 MW Skipjack and the 1,100 MW Ocean Wind projects in the US. The model will also feature on America’s first large-scale offshore wind farm – the 800 MW Vineyard Wind 1.