Japan Aims to Lead in Offshore Wind Energy Amid Calls for Larger Auctions

International energy companies urge Japan to scale up offshore auctions as the country targets 45 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2040.

Japan aims to become the world's top producer of offshore wind energy, with a goal of having 10 GW by 2030, and up to 45 GW operational by 2040.
The country has auctioned 1.7 GW of offshore wind capacity contracts, all won by Mitsubishi-led consortiums in 2021, and will choose winners for four more wind farms with total capacity of 1.8 GW by the end of March 2024.
International energy companies, including Germany's RWE and Spain's Iberdrola, are urging Japan to increase the scale of its offshore wind power auctions to make investments more attractive.
Japan's ministry of economy, trade and industry (METI) is pushing for domestic suppliers to make up at least 60% of offshore wind projects by 2040, to help Japan grow its expertise.
GE Renewable Energy has teamed with Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions to make GE's Haliade-X offshore wind turbines near Tokyo, with plans to start nacelle production from 2026.