Appointed as Operators of Offshore Wind Project in Sea Areas Offshore Murakami City and Tainai City, Niigata Prefecture
December 13th, 2023
TEPCO Renewable Power, Incorporated
Sumitomo Corporation
Cosmo Eco Power Co., Ltd.
Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd.
Taisei Clean Energy Co., Ltd.
Honma Renewable Power Corporation
Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.
TEPCO Renewable Power, Inc., Sumitomo Corporation, Cosmo Eco Power Co., Ltd., Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd., Taisei Clean Energy Co., Ltd., Honma Renewable Power Corporation, and Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd., as a consortium represented by TEPCO Renewable Power, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the “Consortium”), are pleased to announce that the Consortium received notification from the government of Japan (the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) that the Consortium has been appointed to design, build and operate as the operator of the offshore wind project in the sea areas off the coast of Murakami City and Tainai City, Niigata Prefecture (hereinunder referred to as ”Sea Areas”).
The Japanese government has been accelerating the introduction of offshore wind power in order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and has set a target of 10GW by 2030 and 30 to 45GW by 2040.
The Sea Areas are designated as a promotion area under the Act on Promoting Utilization of Sea Areas in Development of Power Generation Facilities Using Maritime Renewable Energy Resources. With the explanation and the understanding of the local stakeholders, including local municipalities and those who engaged in fishery activities, the Consortium have been conducting extensive environmental impact assessment, geotechnical survey, wind assessments and other local surveys.
Through this project, the Consortium will contribute to the realization of a carbon-neutral society through renewable energy. With the concept of Future connected by wind: A Town where People Shine, the Consortium, as an environmentally friendly wind power generator that produces safe and clean energy, aims to coexist in harmony with local people over a long period of time, achieve a business that can grow with local community, and contribute to the creation of a prosperous society in Niigata.
Outline of business plan
| Target sea areas | Off the coast of Murakami City and Tainai City in Niigata Prefecture |
|---|---|
| Power generation facility | Bottom-fixed offshore wind power generation |
| Power generation facility output | 570MW (15MW x 38 wind turbines, manufactured by Vestas) |
| Commencement of operation (Planned) | June 2030 |
Location of the project
Comment from each company in the Consortium
Masashi Nagasawa, President, TEPCO Renewable Power, Incorporated, commented:
“We are pleased to be part of this project, which will play a key role in making renewable energy the main source of power to achieve a carbon-neutral society by 2050. Our main business of hydroelectric power generation began in the Meiji era, and the company has worked together with local communities and stakeholders for a long time. In the same way in this project, we will make a sincere effort in its future business activities so that we can take root in the communities.”
Yukihito Honda, Managing Executive Officer and General Manager of Infrastructure Business Unit, Sumitomo Corporation, commented:
“We are humbled to be appointed for the realization of the offshore wind farm, which is a major pillar in the spread of renewable energy, with the aim of making it a main source of power. Leveraging the extensive expertise garnered over many years in the electric power sector, both domestically and internationally, Sumitomo Corporation is dedicated to realizing a stable electricity supply as well as contributing to the establishment of a carbon-neutral society in Japan, together with local stakeholders.”
Masayoshi Noji, President and Representative Director, Cosmo Eco Power Co., Ltd., commented:
“We are humbled to be selected as the operators of the project in the relevant sea area. Since its establishment in 1997 as Japan's first company specializing in wind power generation as a member of the Cosmo Energy Group, has been working to accelerate the spread of sustainable new energy sources. Through the expansion of our wind power generation business, we will continue to strive to be a company that contributes to the community and to achieve carbon-neutral society.”
Masahiro Fujita, President and Representative Director, Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd., commented:
“We are honored to be selected as the operators of an offshore wind power generation project, which the Japanese government is aiming to make into a major power source. We have been engaged in the oil and natural gas drilling business in this area for more than 30 years cultivating the relations with the community. As an integrated energy company, we will contribute to the stable supply of electric power in Japan and the realization of carbon neutrality through this project, while continuing our efforts to ensure a stable supply of oil and natural gas.”
Jiro Taniyama, Senior Managing Executive Officer, Taisei Clean Energy Co., Ltd., commented:
“As 2023 is the year of the 150th anniversary of the founding of our group, we are honored to participate as a member of the project in Niigata Prefecture, the birthplace of our founder, Kihachiro Okura, as a representative project of our country. Through this project, we will contribute to a sustainable society, deliver more value, satisfaction, and excitement to the local community and our stakeholders, and work to create a society that is in harmony with nature and full of dreams and hopes for the next generation.”
Jun Sugawara, President and Representative Director, Honma Renewable Power Corporation commented:
“We are proud to be selected as the operators of an offshore wind farm in our hometown of Niigata. We will make the most of the experience we have accumulated over the years working together with the local community in the offshore wind farm business. We commit to working toward the shift to renewable energy and the realization of a carbon-neutral society in Japan.”
Yoshihiro Hirokawa, Managing Director, Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd., commented:
“We are honored to be selected as the operator of the offshore wind power generation project, which is a pillar of the government's efforts to promote renewable energy as a main source of power, and have a sense of responsibility for the project. Our group is developing its business both in Japan and overseas based on the principles of symbiosis and coexistence, linkage of diverse values, and realization of a sustainable society, and in this project as well, we aim to collaborate with local community and contribute to its development.”
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