Japan to hit 6 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030

Japan’s offshore wind farm market is gaining momentum, with over 6 GW of active capacity expected by 2030.

Backed by ongoing seabed auctions and important streamlining of the permitting process, Clarksons Research is projecting that around 600 wind turbines will be added to the 59 in operation today.

“While the development of the Japanese wind market has stalled in recent years, it now appears to be gaining momentum. The government has recently revised its guidelines for the second round of offshore wind auctions with the aim of accelerating project development and reducing the focus on pricing, said Steve Gordon,” managing director of Clarksons Research.

The second round of auctions will see the seabed rights to 1.8 GW of capacity awarded to developers later this year. 700 MW will be awarded off Niigata, with 692 MW set to be awarded off Akita and 424 MW off Nagasaki.

Japan is targeting 10 GW of offshore wind capacity approved by 2030, with at least 5.7 GW online and between 30 and 45 GW by 2040 as part of its target to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. 

Active capacity in Japan currently stands at 190 MW following the commissioning of the country’s first commercial-scale offshore wind projects in December 2022 and January this year. 344 MW is currently under construction off Japan and set to come online by the end of 2025, while an additional 1.9 GW has secured offtake agreements.

In terms of vessel activity, Clarksons Research reported two wind turbine installation units deployed off Japan last year, including Eneti’s Seajacks Zaratan. In early 2023, Shimizu Corporation’s newbuild WTIV entered the market and a further two Japanese-owned WTIVs are currently under construction, while DEME plans to operate its 2014-built Sea Challenger WTIV (pictured) under the Japanese flag from 2025.