Japan will aim to build between 30-45GW of offshore wind by 2040 under a plan signed-off by government ministers and industry officials on Tuesday.

The country’s first Offshore Wind Industry Vision also confirms a goal for 10GW by 2030 as Japan set out to give the long-term view needed for massive investments in wind at sea over the next decade.

The targets include both fixed-bottom and floating foundation projects, with the latter targeted as a key technology where Japan is keen to establish a leading position in Asia.

The ‘vision’ plan was agreed at a meeting on Tuesday between ministers from economy, trade and industry (METI) and the land, infrastructure and tourism, and key representatives of the offshore wind and associated sectors, said the Japan Wind Power Association.

As well as the installation goals, underpinned by at least 1GW of auctions annually, the government committed to developing high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission infrastructure and the base ports and skills needed to underpin the build-out, according to JWPA.

Local content

The industry said it would aim to reduce costs and aim for a 60% share of local content by 2040.

Offshore wind will form a key part of the plans of recently-elected Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s plans to steer the nation to net-zero by 2050.

Japan in late November kicked off its first tender for large-scale fixed-bottom offshore wind power, in a move to secure about 1.4GW of capacity. A smaller auction launched earlier this year and closing on 24 December was for the 21MW Goto Islands demonstration floating wind project.

The emergence of Japan as a major offshore market over the next decade has prompted a rush of global development giants to the country, and the entry by several big domestic players, most recently Tokyo Gas which joined a consortium targeting projects off Chiba Prefecture this week.

Iberdrola, Orsted, RWE, Equinor, Northland Power and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners all have positions in the Japanese market, which has also attracted big-name contractors looking to service the sector.

Wind

Japan aims for up to 45GW of offshore wind power by 2040