Japan announces offshore wind areas
30 July 2019Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) have been working together to streamline the process for examining and permitting offshore wind power generation facilities under the Electricity Business Act and the Port and Harbor Act. The aim is to reduce the burden on businesses promoting offshore wind development and facilitate the implementation of projects.
Following a period of consultation and data gathering with prefectures earlier this year, on 30th July 2019, METI/MLIT announced 11 promising offshore wind areas that will now be progressing to the preparatory stages for designation as areas of future promotion, as follows:
- Offshore Aomori in Japan sea (North), Aomori prefecture
- Offshore Aomori in Japan sea (South). Aomori prefecture
- Mutsu bay, Aomori prefecture
- Happou-town and Noshiro-city, Akita prefecture
- Noshiro-city, Mitane-town and Oga-city, Akita prefecture
- Katagami-city, Akita prefecture
- Yurihonzyo-city (North and South), Akita prefecture
- Murakami-city and Tainai-city, Niigata prefecture
- Choshi-city, Chiba prefecture
- Ejima Island, Saikai-city, Nagasaki prefecture
- Goto-city, Nagasaki prefecture
Amongst this group, four areas have been singled out where ‘councils’ will be formed by METI/MLIT (as per Article 9.3 of the Act for the Promotion of Use of Marine Areas for Development of Marine Renewable Energy Generation Facilities, November 2018) and wind measurement and geological surveys will be conducted by the government immediately.
- Noshiro-city, Mitane-town and Oga-city, Akita prefecture
- Yurihonzyo-city (North and South), Akita prefecture
- Choushi-city, Chiba prefecture
- Goto-city, Nagasaki prefecture
For the remaining seven areas the following matters need to be considered in order to progress development:
Offshore Aomori in Japan sea (North), Aomori prefecture
It is necessary to identify and coordinate with stakeholders.
Offshore Aomori in Japan sea (South). Aomori prefecture
It is necessary to identify and coordinate with stakeholders.
Mutsu bay, Aomori prefecture
It is necessary to identify and coordinate with stakeholders. In addition, the general area subject to defence considerations and restriction.
Happou-town and Noshiro-city, Akita prefecture
As this area is promising, preparations for mobilising a ‘council’ and wind measurement and geological surveys by the government will be started as soon as possible in accordance with the progress of local agreement.
Katagami-city, Akita prefecture
As this area is promising, preparations for mobilising a ‘council’ and wind measurement and geological surveys by the government will be started as soon as possible in accordance with the progress of local agreement.
Murakami-city and Tainai-city, Niigata prefecture
It is necessary to identify and coordinate with stakeholders. It is also necessary to secure grid capacity.
Saikai-city, Nagasaki prefecture
The area is promising, but any development must align with World Heritage status.
The exhibit below shows the areas that have been announced:
From offices in Tokyo, RCG offers a full range of in-country support relating to the Japan offshore wind market.
