SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Hokkaido and Tohoku EPCO take stake in Japan’s largest offshore wind farm

The two regional utilities join a JERA-led consortium to support the operation of the Ishikari Bay offshore wind farm, which entered service in early 2024.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

SUBSCRIBE - 99$/year

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Hokkaido Electric Power Company and Tohoku Electric Power Company have acquired a stake in the Ishikari Bay New Port Offshore Wind Farm, currently the largest operational offshore wind project in Japan. The transaction was completed on September 30 through a joint special purpose company formed by the two utilities, according to an announcement made on October 1.

The project is led by Green Power Investment, which was jointly acquired by JERA and NTT Anode Energy in August 2023. The development is also supported by JERA Nex, JERA’s offshore wind subsidiary, currently being integrated into JERA Nex bp, the company’s UK-based joint venture with bp. The site has an operational capacity of 112MW, distributed across fourteen Siemens Gamesa 8MW turbines, though output is capped at 100MW due to grid connection constraints.

Twenty-year feed-in tariff contract secured

The electricity generated is sold to Hokkaido Electric Power Network under a 20-year feed-in tariff (FIT) agreement at JPY36 per kWh. This tariff was secured prior to the country’s transition from FIT schemes to auction-based pricing for fixed-bottom offshore projects. The plant is equipped with a 180MWh battery storage system integrated into its substation.

The environmental impact assessment for the project was initiated in 2012 by Green Power Investment. Construction began in October 2022, with Kajima Corporation handling onshore works and a joint venture between Shimizu Corporation and Nippon Steel Engineering responsible for the offshore portion.

Additional projects underway

Hokkaido Electric Power Company is also conducting an environmental assessment for a wind farm of up to 1.14GW off the coast of Hiyama, in a Promotion Zone expected to be included in Japan’s upcoming auction round. Tohoku Electric Power Company, for its part, is advancing a 315MW offshore project near Akita, awarded in the second bidding round as part of a JERA-led consortium.

The increased involvement of both regional power utilities in marine energy comes as operators seek to diversify supply sources and stabilise their networks.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Drone strike cuts electricity in Khartoum and Port Sudan, two rescuers killed
Microsoft signs two new wind power purchase agreements with Iberdrola
Voltalia launches construction of hybrid solar-storage power plant in French Guiana
TerraWind strengthens its onshore wind portfolio in Japan with 255MW transferred
T1 Energy launches construction of 2.1GW solar cell plant in Texas
Fukushima wind power milestone as Kagurayama begins operations
The Kagurayama onshore wind farm (61.1 MW) begins operations under a secured 2017 FIT tariff, despite grid injection limits and a multi-stakeholder local governance model.
Washington suspends five offshore wind projects on East Coast over security concerns
The Trump administration has ordered the immediate halt of five major offshore wind construction sites in the Atlantic, citing national security threats and drawing mixed reactions from industry and political circles.
Global wind industry suffers historic downturn in 2025 despite Chinese resilience
Policy reversals, reduced performance and corporate disengagement marked an unprecedented slowdown in wind power in 2025, although China continued its expansion at a steady pace.
Three new wind farms approved to add 792 MW of capacity in Québec
The Québec government has approved three wind projects totalling 792 MW to meet growing energy demand and support regional economies in Bas-Saint-Laurent and Capitale-Nationale.
ENGIE inaugurates its largest onshore wind farm in Brazil with 846 MW
French group ENGIE has officially commissioned the Serra do Assuruá complex in the State of Bahia, making it its largest onshore wind project worldwide.
RWE and Indiana Michigan Power secure 200 MW deal in Indiana
RWE signed a 15-year power purchase agreement with Indiana Michigan Power for the Prairie Creek project, aimed at supporting Indiana’s growing electricity demand starting in 2028.
EDP signs 322 MW hybrid energy contract with Energa in Poland
EDP has signed a long-term electricity supply agreement with Energa for a 322 MW hybrid portfolio combining wind and solar, marking one of the largest contracts of its kind in Poland.
Ocean Winds launches its first offshore measurement campaign for the High Sea Wind project
Ocean Winds has deployed a LiDAR buoy off Gippsland to collect accurate data on wind and currents, a key step in its 1.3 GW offshore wind project in Australia.
EDF, OQAE and Al Khadra to build 120 MW wind farm in Oman
A consortium led by EDF power solutions has signed a 20-year agreement with Nama PWP to develop a 120 MW wind farm in southeastern Oman, with commissioning scheduled for Q3 2027.
Vestas secures 828MW contract for wind farm in Brazil
Casa dos Ventos awards Vestas the supply, construction and maintenance of a 184-turbine complex in the state of Piauí, with an investment exceeding $1.01bn.
Poland relaunches offshore tenders with 25-year CfD for 4 GW
Warsaw tests long-term support for offshore wind with a structured tender to maximise competition, reduce financial risk and reassure a supply chain under pressure across Europe.
TotalEnergies sells 50% of a 424 MW portfolio of projects in Greece
TotalEnergies has sold 50% of a portfolio of wind and solar projects in Greece to Asterion Industrial Partners, valued at €508mn ($554mn), while retaining operational control and the main share of electricity marketing.
Italy’s offshore wind sector stalled by regulatory and administrative delays
Italy’s offshore wind rollout remains at a standstill, freezing over 18 GW of pending projects and weakening national renewable energy targets.
Nordex secures 200 MW contract for wind farm in Canada
German manufacturer Nordex has secured an order for 34 turbines for a 200 MW project in the Canadian province of New Brunswick, marking its first entry into this region.
OX2 launches construction of 277 MW onshore wind farms in Finland
OX2 has started construction on three new onshore wind farms in Finland, bringing its total installed capacity in the country to 750 MW, a record level for a private energy sector player.
Enel acquires two onshore wind farms in Germany for €80mn in strategic move
Italian group Enel has acquired two onshore wind farms in Germany for an enterprise value of €80mn ($86.5mn), strengthening its presence in a stable and strategic market as part of a targeted asset transfer.
EDF commissions 140MW San Kraal wind farm in South Africa
EDF power solutions announces commercial operation of the San Kraal wind farm, the first unit of the 420MW Koruson 1 project, with full commissioning expected in early 2026.
Q ENERGY opens the Ventajou wind project to local investment partners
Q ENERGY has announced the entry of three local and citizen-based partners into the capital of the Ventajou wind farm, marking its first strategic equity opening to institutional and community investors.
Norway awards two floating wind zones to Equinor and EDF ahead of final subsidy auction
The Norwegian government has allocated two areas of the Utsira Nord project to the Equinor–Vårgrønn and EDF–Deep Wind Offshore consortia, launching a preparatory phase before a competitive state aid auction.
RWE commissions its repowered Muel wind farm in Spain
German group RWE has replaced 27 old turbines with three new high-performance units at its Muel wind farm, doubling energy output and earning ZeroWaste certification.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

START - 99$/year

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.