The Japanese government has selected three consortia to deliver 1.4 GW of projects under its second offshore wind tender, it was announced on Wednesday.
German energy company RWE AG (ETR:RWE) has secured the largest project, a 684-MW scheme, in partnership with Mitsui & Co Ltd (TYO:8031) and Osaka Gas Co Ltd (TYO:9532). The consortium was chosen to develop, construct and operate a fixed-bottom offshore wind project off the coast of the cities of Murakami and Tainai, Niigata Prefecture. The wind farm is expected to feature 38 wind turbines and to be fully commissioned in June 2029.
“This marks RWE’s first success in an offshore wind tender in Japan and the wider APAC region,” RWE chief executive Markus Krebber said in a statement. According to him, offshore wind is increasingly gaining momentum in Japan.
The partners will now work with the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) to get approval of the public occupancy plan. They will also continue to engage with local partners, authorities, communities and fisheries to ensure a smooth realisation of the project.
A consortium of Sumitomo Corp and TEPCO Renewable Power Inc will deliver a 420-MW wind farm off the coast of Enoshima Island, Saikai City in Nagasaki Prefecture. This project is expected to consist of 28 Vestas turbines of 15 MW. According to a Sumitomo announcement, the consortium plans to engage with Sumitomo Metal Mining Co Ltd and SUMCO Corp as one of the offtakers for the power generation.
The third winner is a consortium led by JERA Co Inc, which has secured a 315-MW project off Oga City, Katagami City, and Akita City in Akita Prefecture. It is planned to use 21 Vestas V236-15MW machines.
Japan’s first offshore wind tender round was held in 2021. The country’s offshore wind goals call for 10 GW by 2030 and 30 GW-45 GW by 2040.
Source: renewablesnow
