MOL expands Otec plans
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has signed a comprehensive partnership agreement with Kumejima Town in Okinawa prefecture to advance renewable energy, decarbonisation and tourism initiatives. The collaboration will focus on ocean thermal energy conversion (Otec), CO₂ capture and industrial tourism, using the island’s natural resources and MOL’s technological expertise. The deal includes the design of intake systems for a 1 MW-class Otec facility and a pilot for direct ocean capture (DOC) to test ocean-based CO₂ removal.
Kumejima aims for 100% renewable energy by 2040 through its 'Kumejima Model', which combines deep ocean water use with fisheries and tourism. According to its own information MOL plans to commercialise the world’s first Otec project by fiscal year 2031 and support local revitalisation by addressing labour shortages through recruitment. (js)