Japan’s First Large-Scale Offshore Wind Farm Starts Operations

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Posted By: Vicky Viray-Mendoza 24-Mar-2023

Japan’s first large-scale offshore wind farm had finally started commercial operations at Noshiro Port in the northern prefecture of Akita on 22-December-2022. It is part of Japan’s efforts to build a carbon-neutral environment.

Generally, offshore wind farms use larger turbines that enable more stable wind power generation than onshore turbines.

20 turbines with 60-meter-long blades started operating, with 13 more turbines joined operations in January 2023, after the trial operations and required legal inspections are completed.

The 20 turbines put into operation have a fixed-bottom with an output of 4.2 MW each. The height from the sea surface to the highest point of the blade is 150 meters (492 ft), which is about the height of a 40-storey building.

Akita Offshore Wind Corporation (AOW) invested ¥100 billion yen, or $760 million dollars, to build the 33 turbines in total. The project is operated by AOW, a special-purpose joint venture comprising 13 companies, including Marubeni Corporation, which is the largest investor, other major electric power companies, and construction companies.

The 33 wind turbines at Noshiro and Akita ports will generate a total of 140 MW. These turbines are expected to generate ample electricity for 130,000 average households in the prefecture.

The power generated by AOW will be sold to the Tohoku Electric Power Network under a 20-year contract.

Okagaki Keiji, President and CEO of AOW said, “Akita is blessed with very good wind conditions and has excellent offshore geological features. We also had a lot of support from the local government. We believe this is the beginning of a new era of offshore wind power in Japan. By showing a successful example of offshore wind power, which is regarded as the trump card for renewable energy, we will produce significant momentum for the future.”

The Japanese government has designated 8 priority zones for offshore wind farms, of which 4 priority zones are in Akita. At least 103 more turbines are slated to be installed in the 4 priority zones by 2030.

Sources:

  1. Large-scale offshore wind farm begins operation, https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/science-nature/climate-change/20221222-79036/
  2. Large-scale offshore wind power generation starts in Japan,  https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221222_22/

About the Author

Vicky Viray-Mendoza
Executive Editor, MARITIME REVIEW. Special interest in Marine Environment. Retired World Bank Group Operations Evaluation Analyst. Specializes in operations research, evaluation, and analysis. Education: Currently taking her Masters in U.S. Law (American Military University, VA); Masters in Public Administration (George Washington University, D.C.); Masters in Business Administration (University of Maryland, MD); Post-Masters Certificate in International Finance and Global Markets (Georgetown University, D.C.). BSC Management; BSC Accounting (Assumption College, San Lorenzo, Makati); Assumption Convent High School (San Lorenzo, Makati); St. Theresa's College, Cebu, Grade School.