Japan’s government has approved a draft amendment to existing legislation to allow for the installation of offshore wind power in exclusive economic zones, according to Reuters news agency.
The new legislation would allow wind farms to be installed further out to sea from current territorial and internal waters.
Japan aims to have 10GW of offshore wind power projects by 2030 and up to 45GW by 2040, to replace fossil fuels including coal and liquefied natural gas in its energy mix, for which floating offshore wind is essential.
Industry Minister Ken Saito said in a briefing that “through this bill, we will be able to create stable and large-scale projects in the sea area.”
The government aims to pass the amended legislation during this parliamentary session, scheduled to conclude in late June.
In January, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has issued two offshore wind tenders.
Tokyo has designated one site Sea of Japan off the coast of Aomori Prefecture (south side) and an area off the coast of Yuza in Yamagata Prefecture as areas for development.