Japan Plans Wind Farm off Hokkaido to Boost Tech Industry

Japan to develop a 300MW wind farm off Hokkaido for tech industry. Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to launch bidding for offshore wind projects by March. Hokkaido coast chosen for stable winds and high power generation efficiency.

Credit: ENVATO

With the rise in electricity demand on Hokkaido due to projects like Rapidus' cutting-edge chip plant and SoftBank's data center, there is a need to enhance locally produced renewable energy to avoid costly power transmission from Honshu.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will launch the fourth round of bidding for offshore wind power projects by March, focusing on the area near Matsumae in southern Hokkaido. This location is known for its consistent and robust winds, promising high power generation efficiency and potential profitability for operators.

Bidders who secure the project rights can utilise the waters for up to 30 years, aiming to attract corporate investments by streamlining local coordination challenges in advance. Japan's goal is to have 36% to 38% of its electricity sourced from renewables by 2030, with offshore wind power offering a more stable and scalable energy generation option compared to solar power.

The addition of the Hokkaido offshore wind farm would contribute to a total offshore power generation capacity of around 4,900 MW from various projects across Japan. Companies like Mitsubishi Corp., Mitsui & Co., and Sumitomo Corp. have already secured bids in different prefectures, aligning with the government's target of achieving 5,700 MW of wind power capacity by 2030.

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• Japan to develop a 300MW wind farm off Hokkaido for tech industry

• Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to launch bidding for offshore wind projects by March

• Hokkaido coast chosen for stable winds and high power generation efficiency

Source: NIKKEI ASIA