As wind power momentum slows in Japan, can tech help the industry get back on track?
Concerns from environmentalists have played a role in the slow buildup of Japan's offshore wind industry. The latest tech could provide a solution.
In 2021, Japan set an ambitious goal for offshore wind power generation: 10 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 and between 30 and 45 GW by 2040. Early interest was strong, with the first auctions attracting bids from Japanese and foreign developers like Mitsubishi Corp. and Norway’s Orsted. However, only seven operational projects totaling 253.4 megawatts (MW) have been built so far.
Critics cite supply chain issues, high construction costs, and government failures to incentivize developers as reasons for the slow progress. The loss of momentum is not solely financial; local communities, fishers, and environmentalists have raised concerns in Tohoku, Hokkaido, and along the Sea of Japan coast, where most offshore wind potential lies.
These groups fear delays and suspensions of projects, particularly in Fukui, Shiga, and Hokkaido prefectures. Bird conservationists are especially worried, as many offshore wind sites overlap with endangered bird habitats. Technologies like bird detection and monitoring systems, such as Nvbird and AI Bird, show promise in minimizing harm to endangered birds.
Tohoku, Hokkaido, and the Sea of Japan coast are crucial areas for offshore wind development, as these regions boast strong wind currents and host numerous endangered and migratory bird species, including white-tailed eagles, red-throated loons, sea eagles, and ospreys. Experts stress that Japan must rapidly expand offshore wind to meet its Paris Agreement and 2050 net-zero goals.
However, addressing environmental concerns and integrating bird protection into project planning is essential to ensure the rapid development needed for climate and energy targets.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
