World's First Floating Wind-Current Hybrid-Power System to be Tested Off Coast of Saga Pref., Japan

Saga Prefecture in western Japan announced on May 16, 2013, that the world's first floating wind-current hybrid power generation system, called SKWID, developed by Mitsui Ocean Development & Engineering Co., will be tested off its coast. The prefectural government is actively working with the private sector to promote the accelerated growth of renewable energy. The name of the system, SKWID, is associated with squids, one of the specialty fishery products in the area.

The prefecture's Saga University, the only one in Japan that has a research center with "ocean energy" in its name, as well as the shipbuilding industry, are expected to play an important role in such demonstration projects. The SKWID system is to be tested in the Sea of Genkai with the cooperation of local fishermen who are very familiar with the sea.

The prefecture is actively making efforts to promote the practical use of ocean renewable energy based on its strengths, and hopes the project will help Japan lead the world in this field.