AMRC Cymru is working with Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU) as part of a strategic research partnership to develop floating offshore wind (FLOW) power in Wales, and the rest of the UK.

Image, L-R: Yukinobu Okita - JMU, Tony Godrey - Welsh Government, Kenji Yoshikawa - JMU, Andrew Gwatkin - director of International Division, Welsh Government, Helen Donovan - Welsh Government, Kazuhiro Ookawara - JMU, Matthew Booth - AMRC Cymru, Andrew Silcox - AMRC Cymru, Kyoichiro Kawakami - Minister (Economy), Embassy of Japan in the UK and Ikuo Hamanaka - Japan Ship Centre, JETRO London.

The collaboration between AMRC Cymru and JMU, formalised in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), will promote common goals in project development for floating offshore wind farms in the Celtic Sea and other areas of the UK. The joint research will focus on integrating advanced technologies and expertise to provide solutions for Welsh  supply chains, and contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases to support a more sustainable way of living.

The announcement has been welcomed by the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans as a ‘forward thinking agreement. She said: “It recognises the significant capabilities that exist in Wales in sustainable energy solutions for a greener future. The MoU also ensures we strengthen ties with our Japanese friends with whom distance has never proved a barrier between us when collaborating in all things research, innovation and business.”

AMRC Cymru, which is part of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and a member of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, wants to help develop and grow  the Welsh economy, and wider UK economy, by building a cost-competitive supply chain for offshore wind power in Wales and creating jobs in the market.

Andrew Silcox, research director at AMRC Cymru, said: “We are delighted to embark on this partnership with JMU to develop the floating offshore wind technologies that will accelerate the UK's transition to fossil fuel-free power.

“We believe that FLOW also provides an outstanding opportunity for the Welsh manufacturing sector, and our ambition is that the projects with JMU act as a catalyst to create supply chain opportunities for Welsh industry that will transform the industrial landscape, particularly here in south Wales.”

JMU, based on its experience in the Fukushima Floating Offshore Wind Farm Demonstration Project, is developing semi-submersible floaters for offshore wind power, and advancing the establishment of a supply chain abroad. JMU has also conducted research and development into the mass production and cost reduction of offshore power generation  the Green Innovation Fund, a project by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), which supports green projects for companies committed to ambitious targets of carbon neutrality by 2050. 

Kazuhiro Okawara, general manager of offshore and new energy sales department at JMU, said: “We are very honoured to have signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AMRC Cymru. We believe that the joint  research and development outcomes of this partnership will contribute to the advancement of floating offshore wind in Wales, and to the further development of Welsh industry and economy.”

Kyoichiro Kawakami, Minister (Economy) for the Embassy of Japan in the UK who witnessed the MoU signing, added: “We are hopeful that this partnership between JMU and AMRC Cymru will eventually lead to the emergence of a robust supply chain for future assembly and manufacturing in the UK, especially in Wales.

“Notably, this partnership builds on the longstanding economic relationship between Japan and Wales, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022. Looking ahead to 2025 as a commemorative year for Wales and Japan, as well as the World Expo in Osaka, I believe this MoU is an important step forward in our mutual journey of cooperation and friendship between Wales and Japan.”