Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), a Japanese shipping company, has announced its investment in TouchWind, a startup focused on developing advanced floating wind turbine technology. TouchWind specializes in the design of tilting angled one-piece rotor wind turbines, which are intended to address wind interference challenges commonly encountered in large wind farms. This innovation aims to enhance overall power generation efficiency.

The unique design of TouchWind's wind turbines offers several advantages, including the ability to operate effectively even in strong winds, reduced weight of the wind turbine and floating components, and improved economic viability throughout the equipment's lifecycle.

Since 2019, TouchWind has conducted tests to demonstrate the principles of its wind turbine technology, with support from the Government of the Netherlands and various industry partners. In July 2023, TouchWind secured a grant from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency to produce up to 10 wind turbines, featuring a rotor diameter of 6 meters and an output of 12 kW.

TouchWind is planning tests from 2024 to 2025 to validate the technology's effectiveness in reducing wind interference between land-based and sea-based wind turbines, with a focus on the Netherlands.

Ryota Hayashi, General Manager responsible for Wind Power Projects at MOL, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with TouchWind, emphasizing the exciting potential of their technology. TouchWind's Founder and CEO, Rikus van de Klippe, highlighted their ongoing collaboration with MOL, which includes field testing using a 6-meter rotor diameter turbine at Oostvoorne Lake in the Netherlands. The investment from MOL is expected to expedite the testing program and technology development.

MOL's involvement in TouchWind aligns with its commitment to environmental sustainability, as outlined in the "MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.2." This vision sets a goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, emphasizing contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, not only within the company but also in society through the promotion of renewable energy businesses.

Through its investment in TouchWind, MOL aims to advance technology development for practical applications of its wind turbines and explore business opportunities within the supply chain of next-generation floating offshore wind turbines across Europe, Japan, and other Asian regions.

This investment reinforces the growing importance of renewable energy and sustainable solutions in the global energy sector, as companies like MOL seek innovative technologies to address environmental challenges.