News
July 13, 2013
Fukushima Offshore Wind Communication Center has opened with the start of Fukushima floating offshore wind farm demonstration project
Fukushima offshore wind farm consortium consisting of Marubeni Corporation (Project integrator), the University of Tokyo (Technical advisor) and other nine private companies opened “Fukushima Offshore Wind Communication Center” on the second floor of Iwaki Lala Myu, the tourist center, at Onahama, Iwaki City on Saturday, July 13th. The aim of this center is to conduct public relations on the floating offshore wind farm demonstration project, which is a symbol of the recovery of Fukushima.
In the center, scale models of offshore wind farm and panels to explain the demonstration project are displayed, and a video clip shows how electricity is generated by wind farm. In addition to the explanations on technical challenges, the panels also explain the possibilities of the floating wind turbines as natural gathering place for fish. The scale model of whole the wind farm with LED tells children how the electricity generated by three offshore wind turbines is sent to ground via the offshore substation.
On the opening day, many locals visited the center and said, “We hope that the project will succeed and more wind turbines will be installed. We expect that it will be new energy to replace nuclear power.”
Professor Takeshi Ishihara of the University of Tokyo, a technical advisor of this project, explained the purpose of the center and said, “Local understanding is essential to advance the project toward practical implementation. I would like you to understand the meaning of the project and what kind of advantage and disadvantage exist.”
On the same day, ceremonies to pray the safety of the project and to open the center were held and approximately 220 people attended including Mr. Yuhei Sato, the Governer of Fukushima prefecture, Takao Watanabe, the Mayor of Iwaki , Mr. Yukihide Matsumoto the Mayor of Naraha town and the members of the Fishery Cooperatives, the Ministry of economy, Trade and Industry and, Fukushima Offshore wind farm consortium. Mr. Yuhei Sato said, “Offshore wind farm industry will need about 20,000 components, I would like to make the best use of it to revitalize the community and to create more employment as a guidepost for our bright future.
This demonstration project will start in full scale off the coast of Naraha town in October. This communication center will be open until the end of 2015.
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