Japan–Scotland partnership to accelerate floating wind innovation and testing
The Floating Offshore Wind Power Technology Research Association (FLOWRA) of Japan and the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) of Scotland have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore cooperation on floating offshore wind technology. The agreement, signed on 16 September 2025, aims to establish and manage an offshore test and demonstration site dedicated to advancing floating wind development.
Driving Innovation in Floating Wind
FLOWRA is a technical research association that collaborates internationally to develop common basic technologies for floating offshore wind, with a focus on reducing costs and risks. The partnership with EMEC expands its global network and provides access to world-leading test facilities.
Based in Orkney, Scotland, EMEC is recognised as the world’s leading accredited test laboratory for marine energy technologies. With a mission to reduce the time, cost, and risks of bringing sustainable technologies to market, EMEC is now applying its expertise to floating wind. Building on two decades of wave and tidal testing, the centre has designed a floating offshore wind test and demonstration site in some of the world’s most challenging metocean conditions.
Leaders’ Perspectives
Masakatsu Terasaki, Chairperson of the Board, FLOWRA, said:
“EMEC is recognised as the world’s first centre for testing power generation technologies in real-sea conditions, serving as a leading global hub for innovation in the marine renewable energy sector. What makes EMEC truly remarkable is not only its role as a testing centre, but also its research networks, contribution to regional economic growth, and active community engagement.
It is a great honour for FLOWRA to collaborate with EMEC. By combining our efforts, we aim to accelerate the development of core technologies for floating offshore wind, establish robust verification methodologies, and contribute to the expansion of the floating offshore wind market – ultimately helping to realise a sustainable society.”
Matthew Finn, Managing Director, EMEC, commented:
“Floating wind is set to play a major role in the global energy transition, and EMEC is committed to supporting its development. Our MoU with FLOWRA marks an exciting step in international collaboration, enabling knowledge exchange and accelerating innovation.
By expanding our testing infrastructure, including a new floating wind demonstration site in Scotland, we aim to help developers de-risk technologies in real-world conditions before large-scale deployment. Together, we want to bridge the gap between innovation and investment, advancing the global floating wind market.”
A Step Toward a Global Floating Wind Future
The MoU represents a significant step in strengthening Japan–UK cooperation on offshore renewable energy. With global demand for low-carbon power surging, floating offshore wind is emerging as a crucial solution for deepwater regions where traditional fixed-bottom turbines are not feasible.
By aligning FLOWRA’s research capabilities with EMEC’s testing expertise, the collaboration is set to accelerate the path from innovation to commercialisation—helping to scale up the floating wind industry worldwide.
