TEPCO Plans Record Offshore Wind Farm

Energy firm Tokyo Electric Power said it plans to build the biggest offshore wind farm in Japan.

The proposed site is projected to deliver more than a gigawatt once complete and will feature an estimated 200 turbines. TEPCO expects to invest about US$9.2 billion in the project, driving breakbulk demand over the next five years.

A seabed survey is already underway to examine sites off the coast of municipalities of Choshi, Asahi, Sosa and Yokoshibahikari in Chiba Prefecture. The boring survey is set to continue until the end of January and the firm states it will partner with an European offshore wind power maker to deploy fixed-bottom turbines.

 

2.4MW Pilot Plant

A pilot wind farm near Choshi in Chiba prefecture marked TEPCO’s first commercial offshore wind farm when it went into operation at the start of the year.

"The demonstration provided TEPCO with valuable experience in operating and maintaining the facility in harsh weather and marine conditions, as well as ensuring equipment safety and resistance to damage from saltwater," TEPCO said in a statement.

The fixed-bottom design is similar to that for the proposed wind farm and once a successful operating model is determined TEPCO plans to scale up, making offshore wind a central part of its strategy to focus on domestic renewable energy.

 

3GW Target

Following the successful implementation of the Choshi wind farm, TEPCO aims to install up to 3 gigawatts of offshore wind turbines as it transitions to renewable energy as it mains asset base.

“TEPCO is moving forward with domestic and overseas offshore wind power projects and overseas hydroelectric power projects, aiming to develop renewable energy sources as primary sources of power. The company’s target is eventually to produce 2 million to 3 million kilowatts of power from its domestic offshore wind power projects,” a spokesperson for the firm said.

As one of Japan’s largest electric utility holding companies, TEPCO has was placed under effective state control following the Fukushima disaster in 2011 and is overseeing a nationwide drive to replace nuclear power.

Photo: Offshore wind turbine. Credit: TEPCO