Fukushima Hamakaze Spar Tilts off Sumoto, Japan

Fukushima Forward’s advanced spar floating foundation, the base of the Fukushima Hamakaze structure, has tilted while being towed across Osaka Bay to Sumoto on Awaji Island, with part of an upper section now submerged, according to Japanese media.

The foundation has been on its way to the port of Sumoto, where Hitachi’s 5MW downwind turbine will be mounted on it, before the entire structure is transported to the installation site off the Fukushima Prefecture.

The tilted foundation has been secured with an anchor and towboat, but the project is facing a delay of at least five days.

Japan Marine United (JMU), in charge of the assembly, said the team behind the project will now investigate the cause of tilting.

The assembled structure had been planned to be towed to the installation site with the first days of July.

Offshore WIND Staff