NPM participation and synthetic cable specialist FibreMax will partner with Japanese company JB Energy to supply mooring lines. These will be used to secure the foundation of one of the world's largest offshore wind turbines. FibreMax signed a memorandum of understanding with JB Energy at the Tokyo Wind Expo 2025 trade fair.
The wind turbine in question will be constructed off the coast of Brazil over the next three years. Sander van Helvoort, director of renewable energy at FibreMax, explains that this is considered a pilot project. “In Europe, offshore wind farms are directly founded in the seabed via steel foundations, which can be done because our seas are relatively shallow. But off the coast of Japan or the United States, for example, the seabed is hundreds of meters deep, making such foundation technology impossible. Floating foundations are the answer. To ensure these foundations remain in place and to ensure their performance, there are very specific requirements for the mooring lines, and we are well-placed to facilitate this.“
FibreMax's synthetic cables will hold a triangular platform measuring 70 by 70 by 70 meters in place. This platform will serve as the foundation for a wind turbine with a capacity of no less than 18 megawatts. With an estimated annual production up to 60,000 megawatt-hours, it can supply the equivalent of 3000 average households with electricity for a year.
“The pilot project is primarily intended to demonstrate to investors and developers that projects like this are a financially viable solution to meet the emerging need for renewable energy” says Van Helvoort. According to Van Helvoort, the collaboration confirms FibreMax’ leading role in the global industry of synthetic foundation technology for offshore wind farms.
