The results of the second offshore wind auction round in Japan have been published, awarding three of the four sites open for bids from developers. A total of 1419 MW of capacity was allocated, all being fixed projects with CODs in 2028 and 2029. Only one European developer was part of a winning consortia, with RWE part of the Murakami/ Tanai project, and the rest being Japanese developers. The results also mark good news for turbine manufacturers Vestas and GE, both with turbines linked to winning consortia. It is the first time GE’s 18 MW turbines have been publicly confirmed as part of a winning bid. The results are as following:

Oga City, Katagami City and Offshore Akita City in Akita Prefecture:

• Consortium comprising of JERA, J-Power, ITOCHU Corporation and Tohoku Electric Power
• The project is expected to be 315 MW and will use 21 x 15 MW Vestas turbines. COD set for June 2028.

Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture and Tanai City:

• Consortium comprising of Mitsui & Co, RWE and Osaka Gas
• The second largest project awarded in Japan to date, at 684 MW. The project will use 38 x 18 MW turbines supplied by GE. COD set for June 2029.

Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture:

• Consortium comprising of Sumitomo Corporation and Tokyo Electric Power Company Renewable Power
• The project is expected to be 420 MW and will use 28 x 15 MW Vestas turbines. COD set for August 2029.

Happo, Akita Prefecture, Oki, Noshiro City:

• Lease area yet to be awarded, results are expected within March 2024.

Image credit: Green Power Investment Co., Ltd.