Japan brings 300MW of new wind online in first weeks of 2024

In the offshore sector, Jera and Green Power Investment Corporation began commercial operations at the 112MW Ishikari Bay New Port wind farm. Comprising 14 Siemens Gamesa 8MW turbines, its output is going to Hokkaido Electric Power Network (HEPN). 

Onshore, commercial operations started at the 16-turbine, 68.8MW Ashikawa north section of Eurus Energy’s wind farm. It forms part of the Dohoku complex in Hokkaido. The 128.8MW Ashikawa project will form Japan’s largest onshore wind farm when the 15-turbine south section is completed, comprising a total of 31 Siemens Gamesa 4.3MW turbines 

Operations also started at Eurus Energy’s 64MW Kawanishi and 42MW Kabaoka developments. Comprising 15 Siemens Gamesa 4.3MW turbines and 10 of GE’s 4.2-117 turbines respectively, they also form parts of the Dohoku complex. 

Taken together, the newly added capacity took Japan’s operational on- and offshore total to around 5.6GW. 

Meanwhile, GE Vernova announced in January that it would supply 28 x 3.2-103 turbines to the 90MW Abukuma South development and also provide long-term service. The 90MW project is planned for a site in Iwaki and Hirono, Fukushima.

Elsewhere Japan’s Ministry of the Environment requested that the impact of Oji Green Resources’ 64.5MW Wakkanai Tatsunarashiyama project on the aquatic environment and birds be fully investigated. It is planned for a site in Wakkanai City, Hokkaido.