Albatross Technology and Sumitomo Heavy Industries have agreed on a capital and business partnership aimed at accelerating the development and commercialisation of a new floating offshore wind turbine technology. The partnership combines the companies’ capabilities in design, manufacturing and business development. It will focus on the early commercialisation and global deployment of Albatross Technology’s Floating Axis Wind Turbine (FAWT), which is currently under development.
The companies also plan to establish a domestic supply chain covering design, manufacturing, installation and maintenance, as well as production capabilities for larger-scale deployment. The aim is to reduce costs and support the wider adoption of floating offshore wind.
Albatross Technology has been developing FAWT with a focus on the optimisation of turbine blades, floating structures and mooring systems, as well as operational efficiency.
Since 2024, Sumitomo Heavy Industries has participated in the FAWT consortium, working with Albatross Technology and other consortium members on a New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO) commissioned project and offshore testing in Iki City, Nagasaki Prefecture.
The new partnership represents the next stage of this development, with the companies moving from research and testing towards commercialisation and deployment.
The FAWT consortium comprises Albatross Technology, Electric Power Development (J-POWER), Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Chubu Electric Power and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line).
Albatross Technology plans to move into a demonstration phase using a 2 MW-class offshore prototype, following earlier testing with a smaller experimental machine. The company intends to work with local authorities, port operators and regional companies during the demonstration phase.
In parallel with development and testing, the companies plan to assess opportunities in international markets.
