Pattern Energy starts installing 112-MW wind farm off Japan after fin close

US-based renewables developer Pattern Energy Group LP and its Japanese affiliate Green Power Investment Corp (GPI) have closed financing for the 112-MW Ishikari offshore wind project in Japan and have launched full construction of the facility, which will also include a battery.

The project represents Japan's largest combined offshore wind and power storage facility and marks the first installation of an 8-MW offshore wind turbine in the country, Pattern Energy chief executive Mike Garland said in a news release today.

The financing was arranged jointly by a group of financial institutions including MUFG Bank Ltd, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd, Mizuho Bank Ltd, Development Bank of Japan Inc, Societe Generale and Shinsei Bank Ltd.

Located some three kilometres (1.86 miles) offshore in the Ishikari Bay in Hokkaido, the wind park will have 14 units of 8-MW Siemens Gamesa wind turbines and a 100-MW/180-MWh battery storage system. All of the generation will be supplied to Hokkaido Electric Power Network Inc under a 20-year power purchase agreement.

The project is expected to start commercial operation in December 2023.

Siemens Gamesa announced the firm order for the turbines in July.

Pattern Energy said it now has eight renewable energy projects in Japan in operation or under construction -- three onshore wind parks and two solar plants in operation plus three wind projects under construction.

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