Ørsted forms consortium for Japan’s Akita offshore wind sites

Ørsted, Japan Wind Development Company (JWD) and Eurus Energy have formed a partnership to develop two offshore wind projects in Japan’s Akita prefecture under the government’s forthcoming offshore wind auction round.

The three companies have been developing two designated offshore wind sites off the coast of Akita — a 415MW project off Noshiro and 730MW project off Yurihonjo. 

JWD has been conducting investigations including wind measurements, seabed surveys and environmental impact assessments at the two sites since 2017. It is expected that bottom-fixed foundations will be used at both wind farms.

The partnership combines Ørsted’s offshore wind expertise with JWD’s knowledge of Japanese onshore wind and Eurus Energy’s operational track record in onshore wind in Akita. 

“As a strategic market for Ørsted, Japan has great potential and optimal conditions to develop offshore wind,” said Matthias Bausenwein, president of Asia-Pacific at Ørsted. “Ørsted has a unique opportunity and obligation to be a catalyst for the green transformation in Japan.”

“We are excited to partner with Ørsted and Eurus Energy,” said JWD’s president and CEO, Masayuki Tsukawaki. “By leveraging each company’s long-standing experience and knowledge, working together with local stakeholders, we believe we can build the first large-scale offshore wind farms in Akita successfully.”  

Japan has plans to install up to 45GW of offshore wind by 2040, with yearly wind auctions allocating capacity. 

Several global developers are partnering with local companies to exploit offshore wind development opportunities in Japan. Equinor formed a partnership last September to target Akita.