Danish developer Orsted and Japanese utility Tepco have formed a partnership to pursue offshore wind projects in the latter’s home market.
The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding, which will start with work on the Choshi project near Tokyo.
Tepco, which commissioned a single turbine at the site recently, has been exploring a larger wind farm at the site in recent months, it is understood.
The partnership comes after the government in Japan committed to passing laws to support large-scale offshore wind development areas.
Tokyo has a 10GW wind target, including onshore, for 2030.
Tepco president Tomoaki Kobayakawa said the utility is “confident” of using its “extensive expertise” locally with Orsted’s “unparalleled track record in the offshore wind business” to deliver the Choshi project.
“We hope that this first step paves the way for expansion beyond the coastlines of Japan for the development, construction, operation and ownership of offshore wind projects,” he said.
“Tepco is aiming to make renewable energy a core generating source by developing 6 to 7GW of renewable energy projects in Japan and overseas.”
Ørsted chief executive Henrik Poulsen said: “As the largest player in the Japanese electricity industry, Tepco has deep insights into the local power market and the regulatory requirements.
“This MoU is the first step in Orsted and Tepco’s aspirations to deliver on Japan’s ambitions for domestic renewable power generation at a large scale and contribute to making Japan a leading offshore wind market in the Asia-Pacific.”
He added: We welcome this first opportunity to work with TEPCO and look forward to strengthening our relationship further.”