The Japanese government has granted development rights for three projects totaling over 1.4GW in the country's second offshore wind auction, marking a significant stride in Japan's commitment to expanding its offshore wind capacity.
RWE Offshore Wind Japan Murakami-Tainai K K, in collaboration with Mitsui & Co and Osaka Gas Co, has been selected to spearhead a 684MW offshore wind project off the coast of Murakami and Tainai cities in Niigata Prefecture. The consortium will be responsible for the development, construction, and operation of the fixed-bottom offshore wind farm, with full commissioning slated for June 2029. The project is expected to feature 38 wind turbines.
Sumitomo and Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) secured rights for the 420MW Nagasaki project, located off Saikai City in Nagasaki Prefecture. Scheduled to commence operations in August 2029, the project will utilize 28 turbines.
JERA, Itochu, Electric Power Development Co (J-Power), and Tohoku Electric Power have been chosen to develop the 315MW Akita project, situated off the coast of Akita City. With 21 turbines, the project is set to begin generating power from June 2028.
Markus Krebber, CEO of RWE, expressed gratitude for the consortium's selection, stating, “Offshore wind is increasingly gaining momentum in Japan, and I am deeply honored that we, together with our Japanese partners, have been selected to deliver this project as a trusted partner to the Japanese Government. This marks RWE's first success in an offshore wind tender in Japan and the wider APAC region.”
Krebber emphasized the collaborative strength, expertise, and commitment of RWE and its consortium partners, Mitsui and Osaka Gas.
