Publication date: May 9, 2025

Japanese Wind Power Sector Adds Record Capacity in 2024

According to the Japan Wind Power Association (JWPA), new wind installations in 2024 totaled a record 0.66 GW, overtaking the previous record in 2020 and surpassing 0.6 GW in a single year for the first time. The cumulative installed capacity of wind power at the end of 2024 reached 5,85GW, made up of 2,730 units. This marks a 12.8% increase from 5.17 GW at the end of 2023.

Offshore Wind Expansion and Challenges Ahead

In offshore wind, the Ishikari Bay New Port Offshore Wind Farm began commercial operations on January 1, 2024. In 2023, offshore wind farms in Akita and Toyama prefectures also started operating, contributing to recent growth. Looking ahead, the Hibikinada Offshore Wind Farm in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, is scheduled to begin operation in FY2025.

In 2024, Hokkaido led new installations by prefecture, with an increase of about 0.46 GW year-on-year, followed by prefectures in the Tohoku region, such as Aomori and Akita. Another trend is the continued increase in the capacity of individual wind turbines. The average output per newly installed turbine was 3.7 MW in 2024. Although this is a slight decline compared to 3.8 MW in 2023, the average has remained above 3 MW since 2022.

Meanwhile, although Japan’s wind power market has expanded steadily over the years, rising development costs domestically and internationally are prompting reviews of offshore projects. Ensuring profitability is now a critical issue. For instance, Mitsubishi Corporation, which is taking the lead in the first round of offshore wind auctions, announced plans to “reassess from scratch” its projects in three sea areas in Akita and Chiba, raising concerns about the outlook for future rounds of offshore wind auctions.

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