Insights from Acteon: Unlocking offshore wind potential in Asia-Pacific

The offshore renewables industry is gaining momentum in Asia, with Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea leading the charge. Acteon offers innovative solutions for fixed and floating wind projects across the entire project lifecycle, tackling unique regional challenges. L J Pan, General Manager – APAC Renewables, talks about how Acteon’s cross-disciplinary expertise spanning from site investigation, design, engineering, installation and operations and maintenance (O&M) enables offshore wind developers to tap Asia’s renewables potential.

Q1) What are the opportunities for the offshore wind industry in Asia-Pacific?   

The Asian offshore wind industry is expanding at a rapid pace. While Taiwan has a strong existing market, there is significant traction in Japan and South Korea. 

Taiwan has a clear target for offshore wind power generation and probably a more mature regulatory framework compared to other Asian countries. It is aiming for a cumulative installed capacity of 5.6 GW by 2025. The Taiwanese government intends to add a total of 15 GW of offshore wind capacity for Phase 3 pipeline from 2026 to 2035 and has awarded 3 GW of capacity (Phase 3.1) in 2023 with another 3.5 GW of capacity (Phase 3.2) to be awarded at the end of 2024. South Korea also has ambitious goals for offshore wind generation, aiming to achieve 12 GW of installed capacity by 2030. However, the regulatory framework is still in the process of development. 

Japan aims to deploy 10 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and 30 to 45 GW by 2040. The country recently awarded four offshore wind farm sites as part of auction round 2 adding to the three sites that were awarded as part of auction round 1 reiterating its focus on renewable power. The Japanese government has also started auction round 3 for two sites this year. 

Each of these countries represents a unique challenge for offshore wind development. Take, for instance, soil conditions. Taiwan predominantly has sandy soil. Along the western coast of South Korea, the soil tends to be soft. Japan, on the other hand, grapples with rocky soil. These varying soil types pose significant obstacles for wind farm developers for marine foundation installation. 

To address these foundation challenges, Acteon offers different types of solutions such as driving, drilling, drive-drill-drive, grouting, anchors and suction piles. Our tailored solutions ensure robust and reliable foundations in diverse marine environments, having successfully installed over 2,500 foundations in renewable projects globally. 

We have an extensive track record in Asia of installing marine foundations for fixed wind projects. We can also provide services from design, engineering, fabrication and installation of drag anchors, suction piles and suction-embedded anchors for upcoming floating wind projects. We have recently been awarded a contract for design and engineering for a pre-piling template and feasibility study for a floating wind farm foundation. 

Q2) Can you share some projects that Acteon has been involved in within the Asia-Pacific region? 

Acteon supports developers and installers across the entire lifecycle of a project.

In Taiwan, we have been involved in nearly all offshore wind developments across different phases. Till date, more than half the pin pile foundations are driven by hammers from Menck, Acteon’s Marine Foundations business line. We are also providing other services like grouting, pile cleaning, and pile dredging. 

Through UTEC, its Geo-services business line, Acteon provided positioning and survey services for a couple of wind farm projects. Our structural monitoring team is currently working on the design, engineering, procurement, installation and commissioning of measurement and associated data acquisition system for one of the major wind farms in Taiwan.

Though Taiwan is focused on fixed wind projects now, there is potential for floating wind projects as well. We are actively looking to support projects in the design and engineering phase and in the O&M work. 

In Japan and South Korea, Acteon is involved in pre-FEED and desktop studies to help developers determine the feasibility of offshore wind projects. 2H, Acteon’s Engineering business line, and Intermoor, its Moorings and Anchors business line, have been actively involved with initial feasibility analysis in some floating projects. 

Q3) Specifically, what is the potential for floating offshore wind activity in Japan? How will the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) boost floating offshore wind development? 

Japan’s deep coastal waters provide excellent potential for diverse floating projects. With a water depth of up to 3,742 m, there is immense scope for both shallow and deep floating ventures. As renewable energy gathers pace, leading foreign developers are forging strategic partnerships with Japanese developers to build offshore wind farms. 

Acteon is keen to assist floating wind developers throughout the entire project lifecycle – from pre-FEED and desktop studies during initial development to providing installation and O&M services once the projects are underway. 

Japan’s seismic conditions are another specificity of the area. Intermoor has carried out eight floating wind studies in Japan working on cable design and installation studies, floater transport and installation assessments, commercial budget estimates, foundation design optimisation of suction and driven pile anchors and drivability assessments. Additionally, centrifuge testing helps to assess site-specific side load assessment of drag anchors. This testing method is used in geotechnical engineering to closely replicate site conditions and can be useful to gauge the impact of seismic activity. 

The Ocean Energy Utilisation Act amendments are expected to create new opportunities for the development of floating wind sites, expanding the area suitable for offshore wind power generation beyond Japan’s territorial waters.

Floating wind projects require huge investment and long-term planning. Delineating specific areas within the EEZ, a maritime zone extending beyond the territorial waters, gives developers more certainty and stability to proceed with the ventures. 

Q4) Can you share some information about Acteon’s operations in Asia and how the organisation is addressing supply chain challenges? 

Acteon has a significant presence in Asia-Pacific. We have a local office in Taiwan and are setting up operations in Japan and Korea. We operate a shore base in Singapore and have offices in Malaysia, China, Australia and Singapore. Besides the physical presence, we also have signed many master service agreements with local commercial partners to deliver our services more efficiently. 

Our strategy is to collaborate with local partners in Japan, Korea and Taiwan to address supply chain challenges. Every country is different in terms of its existing infrastructure and expertise and Acteon can provide tailor-made solutions for each market. For example, for floating wind projects, we can explore facilitating local anchor fabrication. We can also collaborate with local shipowners to facilitate floating wind mooring and anchor installation activities.

Asia is emerging as an important region for the offshore renewables industry and we look forward to establishing meaningful partnerships to thrive in this rapidly growing market.