Japanese trio to jointly develop Happo Noshiro offshore wind farm

Tohoku Electric Power and ENEOS Corporation have agreed to join Japan Renewable Energy Corporation (JRE) in the development of the Happo Noshiro offshore wind project.

The project aims to construct and operate offshore wind farms with a maximum output capacity of 155 MW off Noshiro City and Happo town, Akita Prefecture.

JRE is currently conducting a range of studies, including environmental impact assessments, while holding discussions with the local community and other stakeholders.

In July this year, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) designated the planned project area as one of “promising four sea areas for which preparations for organizing the council and other actions will start“ under the Act on Promoting the Utilization of Sea Areas for the Development of Marine Renewable Energy Power Generation Facilities.

Going forward, it is anticipated that a council will be established and that the government will conduct a survey of wind and geological conditions toward designation as a project target area.

JRE will continue to lead the project development.

The Happo Noshiro offshore wind project will comprise up to 22 wind turbines with an individual capacity of between 8 MW and 10 MW.

The commissioning of the wind farm is scheduled for after 2024.

ENEOS Corporation is Japan’s leading oil company. Tohoku Electric Power is an electric utility servicing 7.6 million individual and corporate customers in six prefectures in the Tōhoku region plus Niigata Prefecture.