Japan: Japan is aiming to develop what could become the world’s largest floating wind farm, a major offshore project aimed at supplying electricity to the Izu Islands and Tokyo. The proposed project would generate up to 1 GW of power, similar to the capacity of a nuclear reactor.
The initiative, backed by Yuriko Koike, was first announced at a climate conference in Azerbaijan in 2024. It involves floating and tethered turbines located off the Izu Islands, with electricity transmitted via subsea cables roughly 160 km to Tokyo.
However, doubts remain about whether the project can be completed by 2035. Experts have raised concerns about technical challenges, infrastructure needs and whether the expected energy output is realistic. Currently, the world’s largest floating wind farm in Norway produces just 94.6 MW, highlighting the scale of the proposed development.
Tokyo has allocated $17 M (2.7 B yen) for early-stage work in 2026, including studies on wind conditions, transmission and environmental impact, as well as consultations with local communities across several islands.
Specialists note that while offshore wind is technically achievable, it often operates at lower capacity than nuclear energy. They also point to hurdles such as port development, costly cable systems and limited subsidies.
Despite this, Japan’s shipbuilding expertise and favourable wind conditions in the Izu region could support progress. Still, some analysts believe the timeline is ambitious, with full completion likely to extend beyond initial targets.
Source: South China Morning Post
