GK Happo Noshiro Offshore Wind (an operating company consortium consisting of Japan Renewable Energy Corporation (JRE), Iberdrola and Tohoku Electric Power) has been appointed as the operator of a new 375 MW offshore windfarm to be located off the coast of Happo Town and Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture, Japan.
The operating company entered the auction under the “Law Concerning the Promotion of Utilization of Sea Area for Development of Offshore Renewable Energy Power Facilities” and has been appointed as the operator today (22 March 2024) by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. In addition to the three members of the consortium, in which JRE is the reference company, Akita Bank LTD will also contribute to the project.
The project will install 25 fixed bottom foundation wind turbines, each with a capacity of 15 MW, off the coast of Happo Town and Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture, using monopile foundations. The power plant capacity will be is 375 MW, one of the largest in Japan.
The start construction is scheduled in 2026, following construction preparation, and the start of operations is scheduled for 2029. During the anticipated 30-year lifespan, the project will contribute to the medium-to long-term regional development and domestic industrial development through the long-term stable operation of renewable energy and the development of supply chains. The three members of the operating companies, JRE, Iberdrola, and Tohoku Electric Power will be involved in all aspects of business execution, including development and operation. Akita Bank, together with its members, will cooperate with local companies and support the implementation of regional development measures.
The operating company is engaging with local communities and will continue to discuss and implement a range of measures to enhance co-existence and co-prosperity. By providing a stable and large-scale supply of clean energy from offshore wind power for many years to come, the project will make an important contribution towards achieving Japan’s goal to be a carbon-neutral society by 2050.
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[About JRE]
JRE was established in 2012 with the mission to change the world with renewable energy. With the understanding of the region, JRE operates or built 100 power plants (solar, wind and biomass) and is planning several large-scale projects, including offshore wind power. Through renewable energy, we aim to solve environmental and social issues and achieve a decarbonized and sustainable society.
[About Iberdrola]
Iberdrola is the largest utility in Europe and one of the two largest globally, serving a population of more than 100 million people around the world. The company has €150 billion of total assets, 42 GW of renewables in operation and 1.2 million km of networks globally.
Iberdrola has offshore wind projects worth more than 10 billion euros under construction globally, with a capacity of 4.8 gigawatts of operational offshore wind expected by 2026/27.
Iberdrola Renewables Japan, headquartered in Tokyo, was established in 2020, and is Iberdrola’s Japanese renewable energy development platform, committed to powering a cleaner future in Japan.
https://www.iberdrola-renewables.jp/?lang=ja
[About Tohoku Electric Power]
Tohoku Electric Power is an energy service company that aims to maximize the affluence of its customers by providing electricity mainly in the Tohoku and Niigata regions under the management philosophy of “co-prosperity with local communities.” The company is currently working on the development of a 2 million kW renewable energy power source, mainly in 6 prefectures in the Tohoku region and Niigata Prefecture. The company aims to realize a carbon-neutral society by reducing CO2 emissions through three main pillars: maximum utilization of renewable energy and nuclear energy, decarbonization of thermal power source, and electrification and realization of a smart society.
https://www.tohoku-epco.co.jp/
[About Akita Bank]
Akita Bank has established the Akita Bank Group Sustainability Management Policy in accordance with its corporate philosophy of “Community Coprosperity,” and is promoting initiatives to create “Green Values” of environmental value by addressing environmental issues as one of its key issues. The Bank will continue to support the decarbonization of local communities and customers, aiming to realize a sustainable local community.