Japan’s Kitakyushu Launches Nearshore Wind Farm Project

The government of Kitakyushu city in Japan is auctioning off 2,687 hectares of water area controlled by the city’s port to companies interested in constructing and operating a nearshore wind farm at the site.

The capacity of the wind farm has not been disclosed yet.

The government started distributing project guideline papers on 18 August. The registration period for the project started on 19 August and will be open until 9 September.

The bids will be accepted from 3 to 18 October, and the winner of the lease will be announced in the second half of January 2017.

The government also plans to hold information meetings and Q&A sessions during this period.

This is is the first offshore wind power auction based on the recently amended port and harbour law in Japan. The amendments allow developers to lease designated water zones in port areas for a period of up to 20 years. The newly changed law also sets up a bidding system for offshore wind-related development in port areas.

The offshore wind projects are not expected to be negatively affected by the 20-year lease limit as developers have the option to re-apply for the lease.

Most offshore wind power projects in Japan are planned in port areas as they provide good infrastructure for construction and operation of wind farms.

Offshore WIND Staff