The Government of Japan plans to tender approximately 1 GW offshore wind power per year for 10 years, awarding capacity of 10GW by 2030 and 30-45GW by 2040.[1] By mid-September 2021, the Government had designated 7 areas for offshore wind projects and another 10 preparatory stage areas[2].

Within this framework, the Government launched a tender for an offshore wind power project in the sea offshore Happo Town and Noshiro City in Akita Prefecture[3]. It concerns a 356 megawatt project. The public call was launched on 10 December 2021. Applications are accepted till 10 June 2022. Guidelines (Japanese only) for the tender can be downloaded  from the websites of :

• The Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism : www.mlit.go.jp/kowan/content/001445085.pdf

• The Japanese Agency for Natural Resources and Energy : www.enecho.meti.go.jp/category/saving_and_new/saiene/yojo_furyoku/dl/sentei/akita_happou_kouboshishin.pdf

[1] Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (Japan), www.enecho.meti.go.jp/category/saving_and_new/saiene/yojo_furyoku/dl/vision/vision_first_en.pdf

  For Japan’s wind energy policy, see also : Linklaters, www.linklaters.com/en/insights/thought-leadership/asia-pacific-renewable-energy-insights/2021/japan-offshore-wind-report-fourth-edition

[2] Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Japan) : www.meti.go.jp/press/2021/09/20210913004/20210913004.html

[3] Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (Japan) : www.mlit.go.jp/kowan/kowan_tk6_000080.html