The state-backed consortium is now set to switch on the first MHI 7MW machine on a three-column semi-submersible floating platform by mid-September, following a series of delays.
The group will install Hitachi’s HTW5.0-126 downwind model on an advanced spar buoy by February or March 2016.
Consortium leader Marubeni’s Tomofumi Fukuda, who is overseeing the project’s development, declined to comment on whether the decision to install the Hitachi turbine — rather than a second 7MW machine, as initially planned — was motivated by MHI’s decision in February to drop development of its 7MW SeaAngel platform in favour of focusing on promoting Vestas’ V164 8MW model, via their MHI-Vestas joint venture.
“Timing
