Kansai Electric Power Company has taken a decisive step into Europe’s offshore wind sector through a new share subscription agreement that gives it a majority stake in Simply Blue Energy, the offshore wind development arm of Ireland’s Simply Blue Group. The investment is being made through KEPCO’s subsidiary KPIC Netherlands and represents the company’s first direct offshore wind commitment in the European market.

Simply Blue Energy is active across multiple offshore wind projects throughout Europe, including both fixed-bottom and floating technologies. KEPCO’s entry provides the developer with fresh capital and expanded technical depth at a time when offshore wind markets are scaling rapidly. Simply Blue Group co founder and chief executive Hugh Kelly said the partnership offers the “strength and resources needed to scale operations and advance offshore wind initiatives,” emphasising the alignment with Europe’s accelerating clean energy transition.

KEPCO has been steadily expanding its offshore wind expertise through domestic and international projects, including floating wind demonstrations. The partnership is expected to support the growth of SBE’s project pipeline while also giving KEPCO broader access to operational experience, development processes, and market insight across Europe’s key offshore wind hubs.

Toru Kuwaharan, executive vice president and general manager of KEPCO’s global EX division, said the collaboration reflects a shared ambition to advance offshore wind capabilities and contribute to the shift toward carbon neutrality. KEPCO’s corporate strategy aims to reach 9GW of renewable energy capacity in Japan by 2040, with 5GW of new development planned.

The move follows KEPCO’s December agreement to acquire a stake in Iberdrola’s Windanker offshore wind farm in Germany, signalling a broader push to anchor its position in the global renewables sector.

Explore how KEPCO’s latest investment could reshape offshore wind partnerships in Europe by reading the full article.