Wind Energy – Monopiles
Japan’s offshore wind supply chain has reached a major milestone as JFE Engineering officially begins production of monopile foundations for a live Round 2 offshore wind project.
The production kick-off ceremony took place on February 27 at JFE Engineering’s Kasaoka Monopile Works in Okayama Prefecture. The event was attended by the project developer and EPC contractor Kajima Corporation, marking the start of manufacturing for the first offshore wind project in Japan to utilize domestically produced monopile foundations.
The Kasaoka facility is designed for stable, industrial-scale production, with a target capacity of approximately 50 monopiles per year. Each monopile represents one of the largest steel structures manufactured in Japan, reaching up to 2,000 tonnes in weight, 10.5 meters in diameter, and 80 meters in length.
Under the current contract scope, JFE Engineering will manufacture and transport 21 monopile and transition piece (MP+TP) sets. Production and logistics activities are scheduled to continue through March 2027.
Beyond the immediate project, the start of production signals a broader shift for Japan’s offshore wind sector. For years, the industry has faced questions about whether domestic supply chains could deliver large-scale offshore wind components reliably and on schedule.
With manufacturing now underway for an operational Round 2 project, the Kasaoka facility demonstrates that Japan’s domestic foundation supply chain is moving from planning and pilot phases into full execution.
For project developers, investors, and lenders tracking Japan’s offshore wind pipeline, the message is clear: domestic foundation manufacturing is evolving from a perceived risk into a proven capability supporting the country’s expanding offshore wind market.
