By Abbas Nazil
Japan has taken a significant step toward its renewable energy ambitions by selecting two consortiums to develop large-scale offshore wind farms, together contributing over 1 GW of power.
The projects mark a critical phase in Japan’s pursuit of 10 GW of offshore wind energy by 2030 and 45 GW by 2040.
The third round of offshore wind project solicitations, conducted during the first half of 2024, garnered significant industry attention and saw the involvement of major global players.
The winners, chosen jointly by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, include BP and JERA, who recently announced plans to consolidate their operations.
Their consortiums also involve Marubeni, Tokyo Gas, Kansai Electric Power, and others, highlighting a collaborative push toward renewable energy.
The government emphasized the extensive experience of key participants, including JERA, which has established a presence in Taiwan and Europe, and Green Power Investment Co., which successfully managed Japan’s Ishikari Bay New Port Offshore Wind Farm and Wind Farm Tsugaru earlier in 2024.
Both new projects will employ fixed-bottom turbine technology and are set to commence operations in June 2030.
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The first project, located offshore of Aomori Prefecture in the Sea of Japan, will feature 41 Siemens Gamesa turbines, collectively providing a capacity of 615 MW. Managed by the Tsugaru Offshore Energy Consortium, which includes JERA, Green Power, and Tohoku Electric Power, the project is poised to become one of Japan’s largest offshore wind installations to date.
The second project will be situated further south, offshore of Yuza Town in Yamagata Prefecture, also in the Sea of Japan.
It will consist of 30 Siemens Gamesa turbines with a total capacity of 450 MW. The Yamagata Yuza Offshore Consortium, which includes Marubeni, BP, Kansai Electric Power, Tokyo Gas, and Marutaka, will oversee this development.
These projects reflect Japan’s growing focus on renewable energy as it seeks to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and curb greenhouse gas emissions.
While fixed-bottom turbines are suitable for these locations, Japan’s offshore topography presents challenges for this technology in deeper waters, necessitating a future shift toward floating wind farms to meet the country’s ambitious energy targets.
Selected government sites for these projects were finalized in October 2023, following careful evaluation.
The two developments are expected to bolster Japan’s position as a leader in renewable energy while contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.
With these projects, Japan continues to attract leading international energy companies, building on its previous success in securing participants like Iberdrola and RWE for earlier rounds. END
Source: The Maritime Executive
