Japanese utility JERA Co Inc has officially launched the Ishikari Bay New Port offshore wind farm, marking Japan's most extensive commercial wind park with a capacity of 112 MW.
The facility, a collaboration between JERA and renewable energy developer Green Power Investment Corp (GPI), commenced commercial operations on January 1. GPI, formerly affiliated with US developer Pattern Energy Group LP, was acquired by JERA and NTT Anode Energy Corp in the previous year.
See also: JERA and Green Power Launch 112MW Offshore Wind Farm in Japan
Distinguished as Japan's inaugural wind park utilizing 8-MW turbines, the Ishikari Bay New Port wind farm features 14 such turbines supplied by Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy. Notably, the project incorporates 180 MWh of battery storage capacity at the transformer substation.
Under a 20-year agreement, Hokkaido Electric Power Network Inc will purchase the entire output of the wind farm. The offshore construction was managed by a joint venture between Shimizu Corporation and Nippon Steel Engineering Co Ltd, while Kajima Corp handled the onshore work.
See also: Japan's Largest Offshore Wind Farm Construction Begins, Boosting Renewable Energy Ambitions
This milestone comes on the heels of JERA's success in Japan's second offshore wind tender, where a consortium led by the company emerged as one of the winners.
