Climate Integrate has published a report entitled “Offshore Wind in Japan: Policy Agenda and Prospects,” with a focus on the importance of offshore wind power for its huge potential as a form of renewable energy. The report also offers policy recommendations to accelerate the deployment of offshore wind.
Offshore wind can play important roles not only to tackle climate change, but also to provide a stable energy supply and develop industry. Japan introduced a feed-in tariff (FIT) program in 2012 to promote renewable energy, but wind power, especially offshore wind, has not expanded at the pace seen in China and Europe.
Offshore wind power requires extensive supply chains in terms of scope and scale; their development could have significant ripple effects on domestic industries. Besides China, a world leader in this sector, the use of offshore wind is also expected to expand in Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Australia, which means significant potential demand for related equipment across the Asia Pacific region, as well as new competition for materials and human resources. In particular, with timely and strategic action, Japan has the potential to develop its floating offshore wind industry into a major internationally competitive industry before the sector really takes off worldwide.
This report summarizes the key initiatives and issues, and proposes the following policies for expanding the deployment of offshore wind power generation in Japan:
1. Create a national grand design for offshore wind, with clear and ambitious targets
2. Envision the full scope of an offshore wind supply chain, and create a roadmap
3. Clarify policies on maritime use in Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ)
4. Promote consensus-building with local communities