Renova to study feasibility of 560MW Yurihonjo Offshore Wind project

Renova, a Japanese renewable energy developer, is to carry out a feasibility study on a 560 MW offshore wind farm off the city of Yurihonjo in Akita Prefecture in the northern Tohoku region of Japan.

Renova jointly with Eco Power, and JR East Energy Development are carrying out an Environmental Impact Assessment as well as site surveys of the wind farm from 2017 to 2020.

The construction phase is expected to commence in 2021, with the commissioning of the wind farm scheduled for 2026. The Yurihonjo offshore wind farm is more than twice the size of the recently awarded 229 MW Hibikinada nearshore wind farm, making it the largest wind farm of its kind in Japan. 

The country aims to increase the ratio of renewables in its energy mix to between 22–24% by 2030.

After changes to the Port and Harbour Law last year, the country’s offshore wind industry is expected to take off. This fact enabled the government of Kitakyushu city to award the contract for the construction of the Hibikinada nearshore wind farm to a consortium comprising Kyuden Mirai Energy, Kyuden Corporation (Kyushu Electric Power), Hokutaku Renewable Energy Service, J-Power, and SAIBUGAS.