Wind Energy – Japan
Japan’s largest power generator has officially broken ground on a major offshore wind development in northern Japan, pressing ahead despite mounting cost pressures that have unsettled the country’s renewable energy sector.
JERA announced that construction has begun on its offshore wind project off the coast of Akita Prefecture, with operations slated to commence in 2028. President Hisahide Okuda confirmed the timeline on Wednesday, signaling confidence in the project’s long-term viability.
The development comes at a time of significant turbulence for Japan’s offshore wind ambitions. Surging material and construction costs have strained project economics, while a consortium led by Mitsubishi Corporation withdrew last year from three offshore wind projects awarded in 2021.
JERA secured the 315-megawatt Oga-Katagami-Akita offshore wind farm in a 2023 government auction. The project is being developed in partnership with Electric Power Development, Itochu, and Tohoku Electric Power.
The consortium further strengthened its offshore portfolio in 2024, when JERA joined forces with Green Power Investment and Tohoku Electric to secure a 615-megawatt project off Aomori Prefecture.
“Costs have truly risen, creating a challenging environment,” Okuda acknowledged. “But rather than giving up, we aim to demonstrate that offshore wind power is feasible in Japan and that it can be a viable business by completing projects in both Akita and Aomori.”
The Akita project consortium has signed an agreement with Vestas to supply wind turbines, a significant step toward keeping the project on schedule. Foundation work for the turbines will be carried out by Kajima, one of Japan’s leading construction firms.
Despite industry-wide headwinds, JERA’s decision to move forward marks a notable vote of confidence in Japan’s offshore wind sector — a cornerstone of the country’s strategy to expand renewable energy capacity and reduce carbon emissions in the coming decades.
