EEW monopiles. Photo: EEWLast month, the Tokyo-based
Sumitomo Corp reached an ‘investment and business operation participation agreement’ with EEW Offshore Wind EU Holding (EEW), a Germany-based worldwide manufacturer of ‘monopiles’, the large-diameter steel pipes used for the foundation of bottom-fixed offshore wind power generation. Completion is scheduled for the end of December 2024, subject to various legal and regulatory requirements.
EEW’s strength is its mass production system. This features advanced technology that allows the company to bend extra-thick steel plates (over 100mm) and incorporate high-quality welding. Sumitomo Corp has been working with EEW since the 2000s and has a strong business relationship with the company.
The companies say that in recent years, the energy market in Europe has undergone significant change, including a major growth in the renewable energy sector and numerous large-scale offshore wind projects. “Europe’s offshore wind power development target is expected to rise to 164GW by 2030 and 549GW by 2050 (in a generating-capacity basis), with the demand for monopiles forecast to increase from 650,000 tonnes per year in 2023 to more than 1 million tonnes per year in 2026.
“Sumitomo Corp is developing businesses with the aim of contributing to the realisation of carbon-neutral societies across the globe in a wide range of areas, including the offshore wind power generation business, ownership and operation of construction support vessels and heavy lifters, and the building of supply chains for floating offshore wind foundation structures.
“As offshore wind power generation attracts attention, some countries — particularly in Europe — are including supply chain decarbonisation initiatives in the qualitative evaluation of their power producer selection process, and there are growing needs for greener components.
“Sumitomo Corp will contribute to offshore wind power development in Europe through its investment in EEW and by providing a stable supply of monopiles. Working with key players in the industry and EEW, we aim to supply ‘green’ monopiles and contribute to the realisation of a decarbonised society through a more sustainable supply chain.”