Kitakyushu Hibikinada offshore wind farm reaches commercial operation

A landmark milestone for Japan’s offshore wind sector

The Kitakyushu Hibikinada offshore wind farm has successfully reached commercial operation. At 220MW, it is currently the largest offshore wind farm in Japan and features the country’s largest wind turbine generator, with a 9.5MW capacity and a total height of up to 200m above sea level.

Mott MacDonald has supported the project from its earliest stages as technical advisor, providing technical due diligence and risk assessment to bridge the needs of investors and project developers.

The project incorporates a combination of piling methods and jacket foundations to address the variable seabed conditions at the site, as well as local design requirements to withstand earthquakes, tsunami and typhoons.

Mott MacDonald reviewed the project’s risk mitigation measures and supported the achievement of financial close. The team’s involvement has continued through construction monitoring services, helping to support timely delivery through early identification of technical risks.

Once fully operational, the project is expected to supply power to 170,000 households, equivalent to 40% of all households in Kitakyushu City.

Tatsu Kikuchi, Mott MacDonald’s country manager for Japan, said: “Reaching commercial operation at Kitakyushu Hibikinada marks an important milestone for Japan’s offshore wind sector. We are proud to have supported the project from its earliest stages, helping to navigate the technical challenges of the site and contribute to a robust and resilient design. The successful delivery of this landmark scheme reflects the strong collaboration across all parties involved, and we look forward to continuing our support as the project enters its operational phase.”