Japanese steel manufacturer JFE Steel has announced that it has developed a steel plate with a maximum thickness of 130 mm for use in supporting structures of offshore wind power plants, including mono-piles, casings and towers of wind turbines.
The product has successfully passed the efficiency assessment of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, which allows the use of steel materials with a thickness of more than 100 mm in domestic offshore wind energy projects.
Technical specifications and product range
JFE Steel stated that the newly developed plate provides the same level of strength, as well as JIS SM520, a brand widely used in supporting structures of wind power plants.
The product has been included in the company's J-TerraPlate® line, which consists of large and heavy steel plates specifically designed for wind power installations. This addition expands the range of domestic materials available for large-scale offshore wind energy projects.
Improving the efficiency of wind power plant construction
By using thicker steel sheets, the new product is expected to significantly reduce welding volumes and related labor costs, increasing construction efficiency.
According to JFE Steel, these cuts will boost the overall economics of the offshore wind energy project. installations, supporting faster deployment and cost optimization as Japan increases offshore wind power capacity.
