NYK, through a consortium with Nippon Marine Enterprises, , has been selected in a public offering for subsidized projects in the 2022 Subsidy for Offshore Wind Power Human Resource Development Project administered by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, which is part of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Around fiscal 2024, NYK, together with Nippon Marine Enterprises, will establish a comprehensive training center for offshore wind power generation in Akita Prefecture and will start training and human resource development related to offshore wind power generation. Toward the start of operation of the training and human resource development, the consortium will proceed with studies in collaboration with partner company Tohoku Electric Power Renewable Energy Service Co., Ltd. (Tohoku Electric Power RENES) and partner local governments Akita Prefecture and Oga City. The target number of trainees to complete the training course every year is approximately 1,000.

Offshore wind power generation is one of the fields that is expected to expand in the future. In Akita Prefecture, developments in several sea areas are planned in accordance with Japan’s Act of Promoting Utilization of Sea Areas in Development of Power Generation Facilities Using Maritime Renewable Energy Resources.* Offshore wind power generation in the areas of Akita and Noshiro ports is expected to start commercial operation within 2022. The sea areas of Aomori, Yamagata, and Niigata prefectures, which are adjacent to Akita Prefecture, have been selected as “Promising Sea Areas,” and future expansion of offshore wind power generation is expected.

In order to develop specialized human resources related to the offshore wind power generation business, it is necessary to develop infrastructure such as training facilities for the training of personnel involved in the maintenance of offshore wind turbine facilities and operation of offshore wind power generation workboats. The training center of NYK and Nippon Marine Enterprises will respond to training needs and nurture human resources in the wind power generation business.

This training center will utilize facilities on the premises of Akita Prefectural Oga Marine High School,** in addition to neighboring facilities, and will be linked with onshore wind turbine maintenance training provided in Akita City by partner company Tohoku Electric Power RENES. The consortium will provide training for specialized workers and workboat crews supporting offshore wind power generation. In addition, the consortium will also engage in offshore human resource development in collaboration with local governments and educational institutions to expand the offshore wind power generation business and develop human resources.