Kajima Corporation and Kanadevia Corporation have jointly developed a new design method for a hybrid steel and concrete structure used in the central column of semi-submersible floating offshore wind foundations. The innovation aims to reduce project costs by optimising material usage and improving construction efficiency.
The structure has received technical certification from ClassNK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai) under its review standards for wind turbine support structures. This marks the first time a floating offshore wind structure in Japan has received such certification, providing an important milestone for the country’s growing floating wind sector.
Supporting Japan’s Floating Offshore Wind Ambitions
Japan’s offshore wind market is increasingly focused on floating technology due to deep coastal waters and limited shallow seabed availability. Semi-submersible foundations are expected to play a central role in unlocking large-scale capacity in the coming decades.
The newly certified hybrid structure is designed to optimise weight distribution, fabrication efficiency and structural performance. By reducing material costs and improving constructability, the design supports broader industry efforts to lower the levelised cost of floating offshore wind.
The certification confirms that the design method aligns with Japanese regulatory requirements, helping streamline future wind farm approvals and reduce project-level design review timelines.
Backed by National Innovation Funding
The technology was developed under Japan’s Green Innovation Fund programme, managed by NEDO, which aims to drive cost reductions and accelerate commercialisation of offshore wind solutions. A domestic patent has been secured, and the two companies have been selected for Phase 2 of the programme.
A demonstration project using the semi-submersible floating structure is planned off the coast of Aichi Prefecture. This next stage will help validate the design at scale and support wider deployment across Japan.
Driving Cost Reduction and Commercial Scale
As Japan progresses toward its 2050 carbon neutrality targets, floating offshore wind is expected to be a key contributor to future renewable capacity. Innovations that reduce structural cost, simplify construction and improve regulatory alignment are essential to scaling the sector.
Technical advancements such as this hybrid foundation design demonstrate the growing maturity of floating offshore wind in Asia and the increasing collaboration between engineering firms, classification bodies and government-backed innovation programmes.
LSP Renewables Perspective
Japan’s floating offshore wind market is entering a new phase defined by commercialisation, cost discipline and technical optimisation. As demonstration projects move forward and new foundation technologies gain certification, demand for specialist engineering, structural design, marine operations and project delivery talent will continue to rise.
At LSP Renewables, we support developers, contractors and technology providers across APAC as floating wind projects transition from concept to deployment. Building the right technical and commercial teams is critical to delivering these next-generation projects successfully.
📩 Contact our APAC offices to discuss how we can support your upcoming floating offshore wind projects and long-term workforce strategy across the region.
